336 [December, 1843. 



In Helminthology, one donation, by Mr. William G. Burke. 



In Conehology, seven donations, by Messrs. J. G. Anthony,*of Cin- 

 cinnati ; C. M. Wheatley, of New York ; Dr. J. C. Jay, of do. ; 

 Professor Forchey ; Mr. Thomas Beasley, of New Jersey ; and 

 Messrs. Ashmead and Cassin. 



In Osteology, two donations, by the Messrs. Baird, of Carlisle, and 

 Dr. Goheen. 



In Botany, five donations, by Messrs. J. N. Nicollet ; P. A. Browne; 

 Mr. Codwise, of St. Croix; Mrs. Wm. S. Biddle, of Phila- 

 delphia, and Dr. Goheen. 



The most interesting- and valuable accession to the Museum during the 



it 



year has been that of an articulated skeleton of an adult male Chimpan- 

 zee, Troglodytes niger, Geoff., received from Dr. S. M. E. Goheen, of 

 Liberia, Africa, and one of the Correspondents of this Institution. The 

 skeleton is deficient only in the sternum, the two patellae, and some of the 

 smaller phalanges of the feet and hands. For these, similar bones of a 

 young human subject have been substituted, so that the specimen appears 

 perfect. 



I have the satisfaction to state that during the last season the interest in 

 the Entomological department has been revived, and that to several 

 sources, but especially to our fellow members, the Messrs. Ashmead, Mr. 

 Kilvington and Dr. Watson, is the Academy indebted for a considerable 

 accession of native insects. For a long period, little or no effort has been 

 made in this department. The valuable collection presented to the Aca- 

 demy by the late Mr. Say has been entirely lost or destroyed, and the 

 beautifully arranged and costly cabinet of Drs. McMurtrie and Pickering 

 has very nearly shared the same fate. Of other minor donations the bare 

 fragments can be found. Various plans have been resorted to, in the hope 

 of preventing these losses, but hitherto without success. Under such dis- 

 couragements, it is not surprising that this department should have been 

 neglected of late. To the donations mentioned, have been added the best 

 and most perfect specimens selected from the collection of Drs. McMurtrie 

 and Pickering, and all have been carefully disinfected by exposing them to a 

 high temperature for many hours. A new method for preserving them 

 from future injury has been adopted, which it is believed will be effectual. 



The collection of Reptilia, during the last summer has been removed from 

 the Hair to the room on the ground floor, and now occupies the cases 

 formerly containing the collection of crania belonging to Dr. Morton. 

 The members must have observed great improvement in the new 

 arrangement of the specimens, which have been greatly increased in 

 number, and each one carefully examined, the bottles and jars contain- 

 ing them refilled with alcohol, and new labels added. In fact, the extent 

 and value of this collection could not previously be properly appreciated. 

 It will now bear comparison with any in this country. 



The large and fine collection of Birds in skin, possessed by the Academy, 

 has been thoroughly overhauled, and the imperfect specimens, or which 

 had sustained injury from insects, have been removed, and the rest disin- 

 fected by exposing them to a high temperature in a large copper apparatus 

 provided for the purpose. The collection is now in the best order for 

 mounting or exchange. 



