46 EEPOET OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1909. 



Preparators. — The chief taxidermist finished for the exhibition 

 series the mounting of the markhor mentioned in last ^^ear's report, 

 and also of 3 elk heads, a mink, and 7 other small mammals. The 

 preparation of a takin, a large Chinese antelope, was nearly com- 

 pleted. He also made a special experimental mounting of 4 skulls of 

 large mammals with horns, as a basis for deciding upon the method 

 to be adopted for the installation of such specimens in the new build- 

 ing. Among other work performed by the chief taxidermist and his 

 assistant was the preparation and repair of many specimens for both 

 the exhibition and reserve collection, and the preliminary treatment 

 of skins for mounting in the future. Of 183 animals received from 

 the National Zoological Park, comprising 84 mammals, 5(5 birds, and 

 43 reptiles, the skins and skulls of all but 20 were j)reserved, and 38 

 skeletons were made. 



The principal work by the bird taxidermist was in continuation of 

 remounting valuable skins from the exhibition series and repairing 

 skins belonging to the study series, the number of which was large. 



The osteological preparator mounted skeletons of a hog and a 

 vampire, and with an assistant cleaned 21 skeletons, chiefly large 

 mammals, roughed out 32 more, cleaned 954 skulls, and also 28 sets of 

 antlers. Various repairs were made and much miscellaneous work 

 was done, including the moving of all the specimens tools, and equip- 

 ment from the rented buildings. 



The chief modeler and general preparator was detailed for work in 

 the field for the greater part of the year, first to collect fossils in the 

 Calvert Cliffs, Maryland, and afterwards to accompany Mr. Owen 

 Bryant on an expedition to Java, where he was at the close of the 

 year. Before leaving for Java he put together most of the fossil 

 skulls and other large pieces which he had obtained in Marjdand, and 

 made a report on this material. 



DEPARTMENT OF GEOLOGY. 



Systematic and applied geology. — Of nine collections of rock 

 specimens transferred by the United States Geological Survey, the 

 most important came from the Bradshaw Mountains of Arizona, the 

 Sugar Loaf district and the Silverton and Boulder quadrangles of 

 Colorado, and Goldfield, Nevada. Two valuable gifts consisted of a 

 specimen of gold ore from Messrs. Taylor and Price, of Goldfield, 

 and 5 jars of Mexican graphite from the United States Graphite 

 Company", of Saginaw, Michigan. 



With the exception of a study of the origin of certain copper ores, 

 begun b}^ the assistant curator. Dr. F. B. Laney, most of the research 

 work was carried on by the head curator, Dr. George P. Merrill, and 

 has mainly related to petrography and the composition of stony 

 meteorites. Doctor Merrill also visited the phosphate regions of 



