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and large collections made. This was the North Pacific Exploring Expedition, under command of Captains Ringgold and Rodgers, and with Dr. William Stimpson as naturalist. Since that time numerous surveys conducted under the auspices of the general government have made important contributions of aquatic animals, and many collections have been obtained from other sources. In this manner there has been rapidly brought together a very large amount of material representing many faunal regions, but more especially those located within, or bordering upon, the territory of the United States.
     
Prior to 1880, this department had never been fully organized, owing partly to the lack of funds that could be expended in its maintenance, and partly to the want of room, which was only supplied on the completion of the new Museum building. But the specimens were overhauled from time to time by naturalists visiting the