208 



REPORT ON NATIONAL MUSEUM. 



DEPARTMENT OF MAMMALS. 



Frederick: W. True, Curator. 



Accessions. 



The accessions of the Department of Mammals during the past year 

 were numerous, varied, and important. The number of specimens re- 

 ceived from the collectors of the Smithsonian Institution and those of 

 other Departments of the Government, and by gift, purchase, and ex- 

 change, amounts to no less than 365. The numerical relations of the 

 accessions from each of these sources are indicated in the subjoined 

 table : 



Table of accessions in 1883. 



It appears from this table that more than two-fifths of the entire 

 number of specimens received were obtained from the collectors em- 

 ployed by the Smithsonian Institution, somewhat less than half that 

 proportion by gift and exchange, respectively, and a still smaller number 

 from collectors of the various departments of the Government. The 

 accessions from the latter source, however, are of high value. 



The influx of important specimens of aquatic mammals during the 

 past year was remarkable. The recently perfected arrangement be- 

 tween the United States Life-saving Service and the Smithsonian Insti- 

 tution, for the telegraphic announcement of the stranding of large aquatic 

 animals, the activity of the friends of the Museum at various points on 

 the coast, and the explorations of Dr. Leonhard Stejneger in the Com- 

 mander Islands, have all conspired to cause the accumulation of an 

 exceedingly interesting series of cetaceans, the majority of which are 

 new to the collections, some additions to the fauna, and some apparently 



