EEPOET OF NATIOX.CL MUSEUM, 1920. 81 



TTiiiversity aiul to Mr. Oakes Ames, Boston, Massachusetts, in return 

 for contributions toAvards the exploration. The expedition was a 

 <ireat success and a large material was collected. 



Dr. AYilliam M. Mann, of the Bureau of Entomology, went to 

 Honduras for the month of March, 1920, in the interest of the 

 Bureau, the object being to inspect banana plantations for insects 

 which might be important in quarantine. He improved the oppor- 

 tunity, however, to make extensive collections which were turned 

 over to the Museum. Thus the division of insects received about 

 G.OOO insects, and the division of reptiles an interesting series of 

 turtles. 



As usual the various exploring expeditions of the Bureau of Fish- 

 eries and of the Biological Survey have been very advantageous to 

 the Museum. However, no major expeditions were undertaken 

 which require individual mention, except, perhaps, the cruise of the 

 Bureau of Fisheries Steamer Albatross off the southeastern coast 

 of the United States during the fall of 1919, which contributed a 

 very desirable collection of miscellaneous invertebrates from this 

 area. 



WORK OF rRESKUVINO AND IN.STALI.IXG THE COLLECTIONS. PltESBNT CONDITION OF 



COLLECTIONS. 



The continued occupation of the storage room of the mammalian 

 study series on the ground floor by the war museum and the conse- 

 quent closing up of the exhibits in the entire west and northwest range 

 on the second floor has not only caused great hardship to the mammal- 

 ogists of the ]Museum and the Biological Survey, but has also greatly 

 liindered the work on the exhibition series, which is now limited to 

 the space on the first floor and the whale hall, reptile and fish hall 

 and the skeleton exhibit on the second floor. As a partial result of 

 this condition, the Avork on large mammals has been practically 

 limited to the mounting of one west African buffalo, Avhile nine 

 smaller ones have also been finished. The mammal collections already 

 on exhibition haA'e required considerable attention however. Thus 

 tlie removal of several of the larger animals from their polished 

 walnut stands and their replacement in the cases with sanded bottoms 

 has been accomplished. The cleaning of the inside of the glass in the 

 large habitat groups required much time because of the extreme care 

 necessary. A great amount of repair work has also been necessary, 

 especially on the specimens not in cases. The two valuable giraffes 

 l>articularly have been the source of considerable worry and work. 

 With the excessive changes of moisture and temperature to which 

 they are exposed at all seasons near the open windows they are in 

 need of constant care and attention. Suggestions for the rebuilding 

 of the northern Avail case so as to accomodate these unAvieldly speci- 

 952.j°- 20 6 



