CONTENTS. 2. Vertebrates 3. Invertebrates JOSEPH HENRY, Secretary S. I. INTRODUCTION. IN the present pamphlet will be found brief directions for collecting and preserving objects of Natural History, drawn up for the use of travellers and others who may desire elementary instruction on this subject. The general principles involved are so simple as to enable any one, with but little practice, to preserve specimens sufficiently well for the ordinary purposes of science. In transmitting specimens to the Smithsonian Institution, recourse may be had, when practicable, to the facilities kindly authorized by the War, Navy, and Treasury Departments, in the annexed letters. Parcels collected in the vicinity of military posts in the interior, may usually be sent down to the coast or the frontier in returning trains of the Quartermaster's Department. From the Atlantic, Pacific, or Mexican Gulf coasts, they may be shipped on board store-ships, revenue cutters, or other government vessels, to some convenient Atlantic seaport. While waiting for opportunities of shipment, packages can generally be deposited in custom-houses, or public stores. Where it is not convenient or practicable to make use of government facilities, the ordinary lines of transportation may be employed. When there is time enough to communicate with the Institution, instructions will be supplied as to the most eligible route; if not, then the cheapest but most reliable line should be selected. In every case the parcels should be addressed to the Smithsonian Institution, Washington, with the name of sender and locality marked on the outside. Full directions for packing specimens will be found in the pamphlet. Collections in Natural History, as complete as possible, including the commonest species, are requested from any part of the country; as also lists and descriptions of species, notes of habits, &c. For all assistance which may be rendered either in gathering specimens, or in aiding in their transportation, full credit will be given by the Institution in the annual reports to Congress, catalogues and labels of collections, and in other ways. SPENCER F. BAIRD, Asst. Sec. S. I. in charge of Museum. WAR DEPARTMENT, Washington, January 17, 1852. SIR: In reply to your letter of the 7th inst., asking whether authority can be given to the officers of the Quartermaster Department to receive and transmit specimens of Natural History for the use of the Smithsonian Institution, I have the honor to inform you that directions have been given through the Quartermaster-General to furnish the facilities you ask for, whenever it can be done without expense to the United States. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, Prof. Jos. HENRY, Secretary Smithsonian Institution. C. M. CONRAD, NAVY DEPARTMENT, February 21, 1853. SIR: Authority is hereby given to you, to apply to the commanding officer of any vessel of war, or to any naval storekeeper of the United States, for facilities in transporting packages and specimens of Natural History intended for the Smithsonian Institution, and such officers are hereby required to furnish such facilities when asked for, provided they can be afforded without inconvenience to the public service and without expense to the United States. I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant, JOHN P. KENNEDY, Prof. J. HENRY, Secretary Smithsonian Institution. TREASURY DEPARTMENT, January 25, 1854. SIR: In reply to your communication of 13th inst., I have the honor to state that collectors of the customs, commanders of cutters, and other officers of this Department, are hereby authorized and required to receive into buildings or vessels under their control, any packages intended for the Smithsonian Institution, and to transport or transmit the same towards their destination, whenever this can be done without inconvenience to the public service and without expense to the United States. I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant, JAMES GUTHRIE, Secretary of the Treasury. Prof. JOSEPH HENRY, Secretary Smithsonian Institution. |