172 REPORT ON NATIONAL MUSEUM. 



already secured for the Museum a considerable number of very inter- 

 esting specimens, which, however, are not yet on exhibition, and there- 

 fore need receive here only passing notice. 



It was gratifying to the Museum that a number of the members 

 of its staff of preparators received special awards at the third annual 

 exhibition of the Society of American Taxidermists held in New York * 



The appearance of the mammal gallery has been very greatly im- 

 proved by the mounting of eighteen new specimens of pinnipeds, the 

 most important of which is a large hooded seal, and a young elephant 

 seal, mounted in a swimming attitude. 



Mr. Joseph Palmer, chief modeller, was in the early part of the year 

 busily engaged in makiug lay-figures of fishermen and Indians. Two 

 large specimens of whales were cast, and a number of porpoises and 

 fishes. He also made a series of models illustrating the oyster fisheries, 

 in addition to preparing specimens for the Louisville Exhibition. His 

 assistant, Mr. William Palmer, spent several months in New Haven, 

 making, under the direction of Mr. J. H. Emerton, the large paper mod- 

 els of the giant squid and octopus for exhibition in London, and now 

 permanently displayed in the fishery section of the Museum. Pearly 

 in October, Mr. William Palmer was sent to Barnegat City, N. J., where 

 he successfully made a mold of the "bottle-nose" whale (Ziphius curvi- 

 rostris), and preserved the skeleton in perfect condition. This latter is 

 now in maceration, preparatory to being mounted. In addition he spent 

 some time in making molds and papier macliS casts of the Moqui towns. 

 These casts and molds were made from clay models prepared under the 

 direction of Mr. Victor Mindeleff. 



Mr. Marshall has, as usual, devoted his time to the mounting of birds. 

 He prepared five noticeable groups for the London Fisheries Exhibition, 

 and has mounted during the year about five hundred specimens. 



Mr. A. Z. Shindler has been employed in making sketches from new 

 fishes received, and in painting the casts made by Mr. Palmer. He has 

 also been engaged in painting casts of Indian implements, and lias per- 

 formed most efficient work in the completion of the collection of casts 

 of fishes and reptiles. 



Although much has been done in the preparation and mounting of 

 skeletons, as well as in the repair of those already on exhibition, yet 



* Prizes and commendations awarded to preparators of the U. S. National Museum 

 at the third annual exhibition of the Society of American Taxidermists at New- 

 York, May 1 to May 5, 1883. 



To William T. Hornaday : Silver medal for best specimen of taxidermy in the ex- 

 hibition, African elephant Mungo. Special medal recommended for setter dog and 

 quail. Hairless Mexican dog and cinnamon bear highly commended. 

 To Frederic A. Lucas : Bronze medal for group of turtles. 



To William Palmer : Special medal recommended for cast of leather-back turtle'-a 

 head. Certificate of merit for birds. 

 To Joseph Palmer : Casts of mammal heads and fishes very highly commended. 

 To L. M. McCormick : Certificate of merit for birds. 

 To J. W. Hendley : Cast of fishes very highly commended. 



