440 PROCEEDINGS OF THE ACADEMY OF [1888. 



in the construction of the locks is urgently needed, and it is recom- 

 mended that steps looking toward the greater security of the cases 

 be immediately taken. The ornithological collections have largely 

 profited during the year through the labors of Mr. Witmer Stone, 

 who has, amidst other work, very carefully reviewed the extensive 

 and intricate family of the Tanagridae, and determined the greater 

 .number of the species that belong to this group. His work shows 

 that the Academy's representation is a very full one, falling, in point 

 ■of species, but little short of that of the British Museum. A nu- 

 merical estimate of the entire collection of mounted birds in the 

 Academy shows it to comprise somewhat more than 28,000 speci- 

 mens ; in addition to this there is a collection of some 3000 skins. 



The work of systematically cataloguing this vast collection has 

 been begun, but much time must necessarily elapse before such a 

 catalogue can be satisfactorily completed. 



The entire museum collection of minerals has been rearranged 

 during the year, the specimens of the different mineral species being 

 distributed strictly according to geographical position. This meth- 

 od, it is believed, will largely facilitate com])arative study. The 

 Wm. S. Vaux collection continues to receive the close and valuable 

 .-superintendence of its special Conservator, Mr. Jacob Binder, through 

 whom it has been brought into a condition of rare complete- 

 ness. A large proportion of the more commanding specimens which 

 now distinguish the collection have been obtained through purchase 

 ■on the special selection and recommendation of the Con.servator. 



In most of the other departments of the museum the work has 

 been mainly of a general character. Mr. Ives, under the direction of 

 the Curator-in-Charge, has very carefully reviewed and redetermined 

 the species of Ophiuroidea and Asteroidea, and thereby added very 

 materially to the extent of the collection represented. Two new 

 nspecies, a Pteraster and a Coronaster, were determined. 



By a resolution of Council of April it was recommended that a 

 hand-book of the jSIuseum be prepared by the Curator-in-Charge, in 

 •conjunction with the members of the Board of Curators. In 

 .conformity with this recommendation the Curator-in-Charge has de- 

 voted much time toward the preparation of such a hand-book, and it 

 ^ives him pleasure to report that the same is now almost finished 

 iind ready to go to press. It is hcrcwitli submitted for approval to 

 the Board of Curators. 



The additions to the museum dui'ing the yoai- — lictailed iu the ac- 

 companying list of donations — have been both abundant and import- 



