KEPOET OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1908. 53 



the U. S. Geological Survey, the largest and most valuable series 

 comprising 20 drawers of Paleozoic graptolites, the study of which 

 had recently been completed for publication by Dr. Rudolph Ruede- 

 mann, of the New York Geological Surve}^ Among the tyjDes de- 

 scribed were some presented to the Museum by the University of 

 Colorado. Through the medium of exchange about 2,500 specimens, 

 representing 419 species, of European Paleozoic trilobites and 

 brachiopods were received from Dr. F. Krantz, of Bonn, Germany; 

 470 species of various groups from Mr. J. Yaquez, of Pantin, France; 

 and 500 specimens of Tennessee Ordovician fossils from Mr. Manly 

 D. Barber, of Knoxville. A fine slab of Uintacrinus, deposited by 

 the Hon. Frank Springer and described in a paper soon to be pub- 

 lished, constituted a most important addition to the exhibition series. 



The Smithsonian field party, under Secretary Charles D. Walcott, 

 which made extensive geological explorations in British Columbia 

 and Idaho during the summer of 1907, brought back important col- 

 lections of Cambrian fossils, the study of which is being conducted 

 by Doctor Walcott. Dr. R. S. Bassler, curator of the division, spent 

 a part of July and August, 1907, in making collections especially 

 from Xiagaran strata in western Tennessee. During September 

 and a part of the following May and June he was detailed to con- 

 duct investigations in Virginia under the U. S. Geological Survey. 

 A general study of the Xiagaran rocks of the Mississippi Valley 

 occupied his attention during the last three Aveeks of June. Some 

 5,000 specimens of fossil invertebrates were secured during these 

 surveys. 



Work on the Springer collection was continued, and the Gilbert 

 and Xettelroth collections were recorded and installed, the total num- 

 ber of specimens catalogued being 17,G68. Two hundred and fifty- 

 nine standard drawers and 110 boxes of unworked material were 

 removed from storage and their contents placed in condition for 

 examination. The Hambach collection was unpacked and arranged, 

 but the specimens have not yet been catalogued. Doctor Bassler 

 completed studies on the Xettelroth collection, the formation of 

 geodes, the Xiagaran strata of west Tennessee, a revision of the 

 Beyrichiida^, the cement materials of western Virginia, and the 

 lower Devonian Ostracoda and Br3^ozoa of MarAdand. He also con- 

 tinued his work on the American Cambrian Ostracoda. 



Vertebrate 'paleontology. — The most notable accession in vertebrate 

 paleontology was one received from the American ^Museum of Xat- 

 ural History in partial exchange for the Cope collection, as arranged 

 some time ago. It contains many rare species from various horizons 

 in the United States and South America. Of primary interest are a 

 fine skull, including the jaws, of Uintatherium, several good speci- 

 mens of Oligocene mammals, and many rare Eocene mammals. The 



