XI 



is indebted to our members, Charles P. Chouteau, Col. Vaughn, and Dr. 

 Stevens. In this department we have lost some valuable skins from the 

 ravages of insects, the funds of the Academy not permitting the employment 

 of a taxidermist to care for their preservation. For this reason our Rocky 

 Mountain friends have not taken the same pains to secure for us rare speci- 

 mens as in former years. This is much to be regretted, since many of our 

 wild animals are becoming rapidly extinct with the advance of civilization, 

 and in very few years the opportunity for obtaining them for our Museum 

 will be lost forever. 



Ornithology. The collection of Birds is handsomely displayed in two 

 large cases ; they are neatly mounted and labelled, and present quite an at- 

 tractive appearance. The number of specimens amounts to several hundred, 

 some of them of great rarity and beauty. A large number of them have 

 been donated to us by the Academy of Natural Science of Philadelphia, and 

 the Smithsonian Institution in exchange for other specimens. Others have 

 been obtained through members and by purchase. It is earnestly recom- 

 mended that this collection, as well as that of the mammals, be placed in 

 the hands of a competent taxidermist at an early day, to prevent further 

 ravages from insects. 



Herpetology. This department contains a collection of Serpents and other 

 Reptiles preserved in alcohol, and dried preparations of tortoises and turtles, 

 chiefly from the Mississippi Valley, presented byDrs. Stevens, Sander, Pol- 

 lak, Engelmann, and Shumard. 



Icthyology. We possess but a meagre representation of Fishes in our 

 Museum. It is therefore highly desirable that more attention be directed to 

 this great department in the future, for there is certainly no branch of zoology 

 which is more attractive, or which promises to the earnest naturalist aricher 

 harvest. Our western rivers, creeks, lakes, and ponds, abound in fishes in 

 great variety of species and some of them of great beauty. Many of them 

 are yet unknown to science and to the museums of this country and Europe. 



Conchology. Our collection of marine shells consists of about six hundred 

 specimens, and about three hundred species donated by the Smithsonian 

 Institution. They are arranged in a long vertical case, numbered and label- 

 led according to the Smithsonian catalogue. These add not a little to the 

 attraction of our Museum. We possess, through the liberality of the same 

 institution, a considerable collection of shells from the Pacific coast labelled 

 by Dr. Warrington Carpenter, of England, and a box of fresh-water and land 

 shells from various parts of the United States. These have not yet been un- 

 packed for want of room and cases for their display. Drs. Engelmann, Pope, 

 Steven*, and Shumard, and Mr. Broadhead, have also contributed fresh- 

 water species from Western waters. When the entire cabinet is arranged, 

 it will form a valuable reference collection to the student of Conchology. 



Entomology. We possess several cases of insects donated by members of 

 the Society. In view of the importance of this department, it is highly desir- 

 able that more attention be paid to it in future. Our Museum should, at 

 least, have a full suit of insects injurious to vegetation. 



