Jan., 19 1 8. Annual Report of the Director. 181 



of Mammalogy. 207 skulls were prepared and 4 skeletons were mounted 

 for the systematic collection. 9 skeletons were prepared for the un- 

 mounted collection of comparative osteology and 4 for the Division of 

 Mammalogy. 2 study specimens of skeletons of birds, a Saw-whet Owl 

 and Purple Martin, and two skulls of young Rabbits, were also prepared. 



The N. W. Harris Public School Extension of field Museum of Natural History. 

 — In this Department of the Museum there are now available 534 

 cases for circulation among the public schools, while several groups 

 and a quantity of material are prepared and arranged ready for imme- 

 diate installation in cases. In order to provide storage facilities for 

 additional empty cases and for those already installed and for the 

 purpose of improving former methods of delivering cases to and re- 

 ceiving them from the car, it was necessary to rearrange and enlarge the 

 plan that was originally adopted for these purposes. The room devoted 

 to storage has been divided into four parts, each part being furnished 

 with racks and hooks for hanging the cases. Upon one group of racks 

 are hung cases containing botanical subjects; upon another group of 

 racks are hung cases containing geological material, and so on. At the 

 ends of the aisles of racks numbers are displayed, designating what 

 numbered cases are to be found in the aisles when selecting them for 

 delivery to the schools and where they are to be replaced when returned 

 from the schools. This arrangement will permit the storage of approxi- 

 mately 800 cases, and when the 250 cases, which have been ordered, 

 have been received, the limit of the storage capacity of this room will 

 have been reached. The ends of each case and the two general labels 

 which accompany it are lettered and numbered alike. This idea was 

 adopted as a simpler, quicker and a more dependable one for assigning, 

 recording and identifying cases, than by means of case titles or subjects, 

 which, of course, appear on the labels. By having greatly needed repairs 

 and improvements made upon the delivery car during the last school 

 vacation period, a stricter adherence of the daily schedule for the de- 

 livery and collection of cases is foimd possible than the condition of the 

 car last year permitted. This Department has received many letters 

 from principals and teachers similar to the one from the Principal of 

 the J. A. Sexton School, which is herewith submitted: 



"I wish to express the thanks and appreciation of the pupils and 

 teachers of this school for the loan of the beautiful natural history cases 

 which are sent from the Musetmi. In a congested district like this they 

 are especially helpful, and they are a never failing source of pleasure 

 and instruction for us all." 



As an indication of the desire on the part of the Museum to increase 

 the usefulness of its Extension System, the Curator frequently has 



