REPORT OF ASSISTANT SECRETARY. 



27 



Table showimj the nature of duplicate material (lislributed between July, 1885, aj/r? ,/«/(/, 



IddU. 



The number of applications for drawings and photogTaplis of tlie 

 standard styles of cases used in the Museum, which have been favorably 

 acted upon during tlic year, has been 115. Iti addition, 57 sample cases 

 aud drawers liave been lent to colleges and other institutions desirous 

 of examining their construction, with a view to adopting similar forms 

 in their own museums and laboratories. 



The Mexican Geographical and Exploring Commission, fi-om which 

 were received valuable collections of birds and otliei^ natural history 

 objects, requested to be supplied with a fidl scries of papers, working- 

 drawings, etc., in connection witli tiie operations of the Musenm. In 

 response to this request, a box was forwarded, containing thirteen cyano- 

 types of working-drawings of Musenm cases, sixteen photographs of 

 cases, a complete set of blanks and circulars used in the administration 

 of the Museum, together with a set of Musenm circulars and plans of 

 the Museum buihlings. The Smithsonian institution aud U. IS. Fish 

 Commission also sent specimens of blanks and circulars. 



Tiie preparation of a set of casts of fishes and reptiles for the Ameri- 

 can Museum of Xatural History, in jS^cw York, was commenced and 

 partially completed during the year. 



In October, 18S5, the preparation of a duplicate collection of building- 

 stones for the museum above referred to, was completed. This task 

 was undertaken in continuation of an engagement entered into be- 

 tween the American Museum of Natural Hisrory and the late Dr. George 

 W. Hawes, while in charge of the collection of building-stones in the 

 Museum and of the work of gathering material for tlie Tenth Census. 



Foreifpi exehanf/cs. — Exchanges have been made witli several foreign 

 museums and institutions. Nine mammal skins have boeu received from 



