REPOBT OF l^ATIONAL MUSEUM, 1&13. 2S 



BIOLOGY. 



The exhibition collections of biology, at present restricted to 

 zoology, comprehend a greater number of subdivisions than those of 

 anthropology or geology. The principal of these are a general and 

 comprehensive representation of the various groups of animals, in 

 each of which groups the specimens are arranged faunally; a system- 

 atic series; a series illustrating comparative anatomy and the osteology 

 of vertebrates; a series of domesticated animals; and a faunal series 

 for the District of Columbia. Of a supplementaiy nature are a num- 

 ber of special exhibits illustrating interesting phases in zoology and 

 noteworthy features of the collection. 



The collections of the first subdivision occupy nearly two-thirds of 

 the entire area allotted to the department, including the west wing 

 and western section of the west range in the first story, and somewhat 

 more than one-half of the same wing in the second story, with an 

 aggregate of about 41,058 square feet of fioor space. The othet 

 subjects are all provided for in the second story, where some 6,633 

 square feet are assigned to comparative anatomy and osteology; 

 8,459 square feet, to the systematic collection; 2,640 square feet, to 

 the domestic animals; 1,724 square feet, to the faunal collection of 

 the District of Columbia; and 3,884 square feet, to the special exhibits. 



General series. — This series has been planned and arranged to 

 illustrate for each group of animals or, in the case of the lower animals, 

 for assemblages of groups, the geographical distribution of forms or 

 types, which, imder the restrictions as to space, can in the main only 

 be carried out to the extent of showing the more important or more 

 characteristic forms of each region. With regard to North America, 

 however, the resources of the Musemn permit and the general inter- 

 ests demand a more complete and detailed representation. Six 

 primaiy regions have been recognized for the land animals, namely, 

 the nearctic, or North America; the neotropical, or Central and 

 South America; the palearctic, or northern and central Asia, all of 

 Europe, and Africa north of the Desert of Sahara; the Ethiopian, 

 or Africa south of the Sahara; the oriental, or India and the Malay 

 Archipelago; and the Australasian, including Australia, New Guinea, 

 and New Zealand. 



The great majority of the specimens exhibited are mounted singly, 

 but in the case of some of the more important and remarkable forms 

 groups have been prepared, accompanied by accessories, to illustrate 

 features of the habits and environment of the species. In all the 

 preparations and especially those of recent years, it has been the 

 endeavor to produce only work of the highest standard, combining 

 scientific accuracy in reproducing form and pose with artistic sldll 

 in the manner of presentation. As a result, the collection contains 



