(CIRCULAR.)

Office of the Alaska Commercial Company.

SAN FRANCISCO, April 1st., 1872.

To Agents of the Company.

To enable the Company to supply the necessary specimens for scientific investigations, which are expected to result in the interest of commerce, and of the Company, you are directed to secure, and properly pack for shipment, and by our first vessel, ship to this office, such specimens included in the following list, as you may be able to find in the vicinity of your station:

1. Skulls of fur-bearing animals, and when convenient, the complete skeleton.

2. Fossil shells and bones, particularly the skulls and teeth of animals.

3. Skulls of human beings of various periods, the more ancient desired.

4. Petrifactions of bones, wood or other material.

5. Manufactured articles both ancient and modern, which illustrate the life and habits of the people at different periods.

6. Specimens of curious stones and ores.

All specimens should be plainly labeled, showing the place where found, the date of finding, the name of the article and all other information of importance concerning the same.

In procuring skulls of human beings, care must be taken not to desecrate modern burial places, but seek to obtain specimens at places where there are none who have interest in the dead, so that no offence may be given to the inhabitants of the country.

It is desirable also, that you make reports to this office from time to time, which will contain all information you may be able to gain concerning the history and traditions of the people who have heretofore inhabited the country surrounding your station. Also, all facts relating to the life, manners, peculiarities and customs of the present inhabitants. You will also include in these reports, all information you may gain of the nature and characteristics of the fur-bearing animals in the region of your station, the manner of taking them, whether they appear to be increasing or diminishing in numbers, and all general information concerning them. Also, all information illustrating the character of the climate at your station, and the general formation and topography of the surrounding country, together with descriptions of the mode of travel and other information of a general character, concerning the people and their productions, and the animals of the country. The object in procuring these specimens and the reports mentioned is not to gratify idle curiosity, but it is to aid science in the solution of great problems, and to benefit the Company in the management of its affairs. Your careful attention to these matters is therefore desired.

JOHN F. MILLER,

President Alaska Commercial Co.