92 Boston Society of Natural History 



constitute the largest collection of this type of Blaschka models 

 in any museum. One of the most interesting species is Argonauta 

 compressa, lOf inches in diameter, the largest specimen of this 

 species of paper nautilus known. A study series was also arranged, 

 most of the other extra New England material being sent to the 

 Museum of Comparative Zoology at Cambridge. 



There are on exhibition in theNew England collection, aboutfour 

 hundred species, including thirty Blaschka models. This exhibit is 

 supplemented by over one hundred beautiful colored drawings from 

 life of some of the animals, by Mr. J. Henry Blake. The study series 

 is represented by over 3,500 entries. The collection of New England 

 mollusks from waters not exceeding fifty fathoms in depth is almost 

 complete. What is now greatly needed to complete the series is a 

 collection from depths ranging from one hundred to two hundred 

 fathoms. 



A Review of the Insect Collection 



THE Society, since its origin, has had among its officers and 

 members some of the most prominent entomologists of the 

 country. Dr. Thaddeus W. Harris was one of the founders and gave 

 lectures on insects before the Society as early as 1831. He was the 

 first curator of insects in 1838. Dr. Samuel H. Scudder was curator 

 of insects from 1859 to 1870, and president from 1880 to 188G. Prof. 

 A. S. Packard, Jr., was curator of crustaceans from 1803 to 1870. 

 Edward Burgess was Secretary and Librarian from 1893 to 1900, 

 and added many species to the collection. 



A collection of great value is that made by Dr. Harris during a 

 period from 1820 to 1838. This is of special interest, as it gives some 

 knowledge of the insect fauna in the vicinity of Boston one hun- 

 dred years ago. This collection was the basis of Dr. Harris' classic 



