1S2 [December, 1844. 



ration and mounting of specimens of all such species as were not already 

 displayed in the Museum. This individual has now been employed regularly 

 up to the present time, and has accomplished a large amount of work in a very 

 short period, and with much satisfaction to the Curators and the Zoological 

 Committee. The whole number at present mounted and nearly ready to be 

 deposited in the cases, is 219. Of these 172 are birds, and the remainder 

 quadrupeds. 



So large an accession of mounted specimens to the Museum, necessarily 

 required additional accommodations, and accordingly a new and beautiful 

 range of cases is now being erected, occupying the entire length of the lower 

 gal ery on the north side of the Hall. 



I have great pleasure in stating here, that the entire expense incurred in both 

 these improvements, has been defrayed by voluntary contributions from the 

 members alone — to some of whom the Academy is under especial obligations 

 on this occasion. In fact, the spirit of liberality which has always characterized 

 the members of this Institution, has been equally displayed in this undertaking, 

 as in many others, having for their object real advantage to it, and permanent 

 utility. 



Of Reptiles, Fishes, and Crustacea, donations have been made by Dr. Wat- 

 son, Dr. R. Coates, Capt. H. F. Baker, Wm. L. Bispham, Esq., J. Dundas, 

 Esq., Mr. J. G. Howard, Dr. Day, of Liberia, &c. 



The Entomological collection has received numerous additions during the 

 year. From the Rev. Dr. Thomas F. Savage of Africa, a number of very fine 

 insects of that country ; from Dr. Thos. B. Wilson of Delaware, a considerable 

 collection of very perfect American insects; a collection of British Lepidoptera, 

 from Mr. Cassin ; and smaller donations from other individuals. By purchase and 

 exchange, there have also been obtained a very beautiful and numerous collec- 

 tion of Brazilian insects, a number of fine American Lepidoptera, and within 

 the past two weeks, about 300 specimens of European Coleoptera. 



In the last report, I stated that an effort was making not only to improve and 

 increase the Entomological collection, but also to secure it, if possible, from the 

 constant injuries and losses to which it had been hitherto liable. The plan 

 then proposed for the latter purpose has been since adopted, and there is every 

 reason, at present, to suppose that it will prove effectual. 



The interest already taken by the members in the improvement of this de- 

 partment has been such, that the number of specimens has rapidly increased 

 within a short period, and the collection promises to equal very soon, both in 

 size and value, any of those in the other departments. The whole of the 

 Coleoptera which it contains arc now undergoing revision, and an arrangement 

 of the genera after the most modern system. The Academy is indebted, for 

 this advantage, to our fellow-member, Mr. Haldeman, who has voluntarily un- 

 dertaken this task, and upon whose known accuracy and intimate knowledge 

 of the subject, the most implicit reliance can be placed. 



We would again beg leave to call the attention of the members and corres. 



pondents of the Institution to this subject, and to icqucst their further aid in 



the present effort to improve an interesting department of the Society's cabinet. 



To the collection of Shells, the following are the principal donors during the 



the year : Mr. J. G. Anthony, of Ohio ; Rev. Dr. Savage, of Africa ; Mrs. 



