THE COLLECTION OF ECHINODERMS 



BY 



H. L. CLARK 



In its collection of echinoderms the Museum of Comparative Zoology 

 is probably first among the museums of the world, not only in num- 

 ber of species represented but also in the large series of specimens and 

 in the large amount of type material gathered here. While the 

 crinoid collection of the National Museum surpasses ours and is un- 

 doubtedly the greatest in the world, in the other classes it is not 

 probable that our collections are equalled. There are approximately 

 5000 known species of echinoderms, and of these about one-half are 

 represented in the Museum of Comparative Zoology. Nearly 11 00 

 are represented by type material. The Museum collection dates 

 back to the earlier days of the institution, for Louis Agassiz's interest 

 in sea-urchins led him to make a collection of them and their allies 

 before the present Museum was built. Securing the cooperation 

 of men like Garrett, Captain Putnam, and Snow in the tropical 

 Pacific, Cooke at Zanzibar and Pike at Mauritius, he added large 

 numbers of specimens of many species to the collection, and in- 

 terest in the group being continued by Alexander Agassiz and 

 Hubert Lyman Clark, the series have never ceased to grow. Through 

 the collection of the Coast Survey and Fish Commission steamers, 

 especially the "Blake" and "Albatross," and the notable "Hassler" 

 expedition, our accumulation of material has gone steadily on. Col- 

 lections adding thousands of specimens and many new species to the 

 Museum have been made in the West Indies, New Guinea and espe- 

 cially on several expeditions to Lord Howe Island and all parts of 

 Australia. This has been done by members of the Museum staff. 

 Exchanges with European, Australian, Indian and South African 

 museums have also added much to our store. In recent years, a large 

 amount of valuable material has been received in return for identify- 

 ing collections for other museums. 



The collection of crinoids now contains more than 4000 specimens 



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