NATURAL SCIENCES OF PHILADELPHIA, 351 



REPORT OF THE CURATORS FOR 1859. 



The Curators take pleasure in referring to the excellent state of preserva- 

 tion of the Museum, and to its nearly complete arrangement. 



Mr. J. H. Slack, who has taken charge of and labelled the collection of mam- 

 malia, informs us that, the cabinet contains 740 mounted specimens of 379 

 species of 123 genera. The arrangement of the ornithological collection, to 

 which Dr. T. B. Wilson has devoted so much time, is rapidly approaching its 

 conclusion. The care of the herpetological cabinet, which for some tiro* had 

 lost the valuable services of Dr. Hallowell, in consequence of illness, has now 

 been undertaken by E. D. Cope, a young man who gives promise of much 

 future usefulness, both to the Academy and to Natural History. Dr. Bridges 

 continues with the arrangement of the fishes, as well as to give the aid of his 

 valuable judgment in everything appertaining to the welfare of the Academy. 

 In relation to the conchological cabinet, Mr. W. G. Binney informs us that he 

 has arranged and labelled all the American species of shells, and has prepared a 

 catalogue for publication. He adds, that our respected President, Mr Lea, has 

 kindly offered to arrange all the Naiades of the collection. Mr. L. has already 

 completed several of the groups into which he divides them, following the 

 plan of his admirable synopsis. The arrangement of the long-neglected col- 

 lection of invertebrate fossils has been undertaken by Win. M. Grabb, a young 

 and zealous naturalist, who gives many evidences of future usefulness to the 

 Natural Sciences. 



Additions to the Museum during the year about closing are as follow : 



Mammals. -Of these, there were presented 38 specimens of 32 species, 

 principally from the Smithsonian Institution, J. W. Gregory, and Geo. David- 

 son. 



Birds. Of these, Dr. T. C. Henry presented 68 skins of 50 species from 

 New Mexico. There were 19 other specimens of 14 species, together with 2 

 nests and 3 species of eggs, received from various members. 



Reptiles. Of these, there were presented 24 specimens of 16 species, prin- 

 cipally by Dr. J. E. Semple, C. Herring, and Major Le Conte. Collections 

 from Central America, the species not indicated, were received from J. S. 

 Hawkins, Df. J. L. Le Conte, and Dr. John Gallaer ; and small collections were 

 given by John Krider and Joseph Hanson. 



Fishes. Of these, there were presented 92 specimens of about 60 species 

 by Prof. Holbrook, of Charleston, J. H. Slack, Geo. Davidson, C. C. Abbott, 

 Dr. Corse, and others. 



Molluslcs Of these, there were presented 38 species by W. G. Binney, 

 Isaac Lea, and others. Small collections were also received from Mr. Whelan, 

 J. H. Slack, and S. Powel. 



Articulates. Of Crustacea, 22 species were presented, most of them from 

 Mr. Slack. Of insects, there were 18 species presented, besides a collection 

 of Hymenoptera, Hemiptera, and Lepidoptera of California, from John Xan- 

 tus. A large collection of Arachnides, from Western America, was presented 

 by Dr. W. A. Hammond. There were also received two Myriapods, and a 

 small collection of Marine Annelides. 



Radiates. Of these, there were 20 species presented. 



Anatomy. A fine skeleton of a horse was presented by James Hammill. 

 Six skeletons and 40 skulls of 37 species of mammals were deposited by Mr. 

 Slack. Twelve human skulls, of various races, were presented or deposited 

 by Dr. J. Letterman, Dr. J. D. Bruns, of Charleston, C. C. Abbott, and others. 

 There were also presented 29 skeletons, skulls, and other anatomical speci- 

 mens by various members. 



Fossils. A collection of remains of the Hippopotamus, etc. of Europe was 

 presented by Isaac Lea; a collection of remains of Mosasaurus, an unknown 

 Saurian, Sharks, Pycnodus, and Enchodus, from New Jersey, by J. H. Slack ; 

 remains of a whale and shark, from Virginia, by Dr. Al. Bryant ; remains of 

 reptiles and fishes, from the Phcenixville slates, by Messrs. Vaux, Sergeant, 



1859.] 



