1894.] NATURAL SCIENCES OF PHILADELPHIA. 469 



being prepared for presentation by Dr. Henry Skinner, so that there 

 will soon be an exhibit of the natural history of Pennsylvania and 

 New Jersey much more complete than has heretofore been displayed, 

 and which will constitute a representative State Museum. 



Among other work accomplished dui-ing the year may be men- 

 tioned the rearrangement of the mammalian osteological collection, 

 many of the disarticulated skeletons being placed in drawers where 

 they are more available for- study. 



The large amount of unclassified palreontoJogical material stored 

 in drawers on the main floor has also been re-examined, roughly 

 classified and labeled, thus greatly facilitating the final disposition of 

 the material. 



In cataloguing the museum, important progress has been made, 

 especially in the department of birds, where 5,907 specimens have 

 been carefully examined, identified and catalogued, the types and 

 duplicates unnecessary for display being removed from the stands and 

 placed in cabinets, those desirable for exhibition being remounted. 

 In this work the Curators have followed the practice adopted in all 

 other large museums, and endorsed by letters from the leading 

 ornithologists of the world. A more detailed account of the work 

 of the ornithological department will be found in the report of the 

 Section. 



The collection of reptiles and batrachians, numbering 3,939 jars, 

 has also been carefully examined during the year, the jars numbered 

 and a rough catalogue prepared. The entries, however, have not 

 yet been copied into the regular catalogue pending a revision of the 

 identifications. 



In the mineralogical department, through the valuable assistance 

 of Mr. J. E. Richardson, the entire collection of over 8,000 speci- 

 mens has been permanently numbered with painted figures and a 

 considerable portion catalogued. The importance of this work can- 

 not lie overestimated, as it will, when completed, preclude all possi- 

 bility of loss of data by the misplacing of specimens. 



The department of invertebrate palaeontology has profited by the 

 liberality of the Rev. Dr. L. T. Chamberlain, who has provided a 

 handsome mahogany case for the display of the Isaac Lea collection, 

 and has sent an expedition to the fossil-bearing beds of the Southern 

 States. A rich collection, numbering over 500 species, has been 

 secured, and is now being unpacked and classified. Dr. Chamber- 



