210 REPORT ON NATIONAL MUSEUM. 



grcenlandica, Cystophora crisiata, and Erignatlms barbatus. The speci- 

 men of G. cristata, mounted according to the obeervations of Dr. Mer- 

 riam, presents a strong contrast to the usual representations of this 

 species, at least so far as the form and position of the " bladder" is con- 

 cerned. In addition to these specimens the department received from 

 Mr. A. G. Brown a fine specimen of a young Califoruian sea-elephant, 

 Macrorhinus angustirostris, which was one of several brought alive from 

 California for exhibition in Philadelphia. The collection of pinnipeds 

 is now in excellent condition, but good skins of the Atlantic and Pacific 

 walruses and most of the Stenorhyncine seals are still wanting. 



Among the indigenous terrestrial mammals, the most interesting speci- 

 men received in 1883, was a black-footed ferret, Putorius nigripes. 

 This species, which could not be obtained by Professor Baird when en- 

 gaged upon his monograph of North American mammals, is at present 

 represented in the collection by several skulls, and by at least eight 

 skins, two of which were rceived in 1883. 



Of the accessions of exotic mammals the collections of Mr. P. L. 

 Jouy in Japan, and from the museum of Kurrachee, India, rank first 

 in interest. Mr. Jouy's collection includes 36 specimens of Japanese 

 mammals, all of which were previously unrepresented in the Museum. 

 Prom the Kurrachee Museum were received 36 specimens of Indian 

 mammals, nearly all of which are also new to our collections. 



Administrative work. 



Museum registers. — The number of entries made in the two registers, 

 at present in use in the department, is as follows: 



Entries in the register of skins in 1883 349 



Entries in the register of bones in 1883 198 



Total * 547 



Whole number of entries in the register of skins 14,003 



Whole number of entries in the register of bones 21,075 



Total 35,078 



The number of entries in these catalogues during the past two years 

 has considerably exceeded the number of specimens received during 

 that period, since an effort has been made to record the specimens which 

 have accumulated in the storerooms of the Museum. At present the 

 number of unentered specimens is very small, and will probably be re- 

 duced to zero before the close of this year. With some exceptions all 

 the accessions of 1883 were recorded within a few days after receipt, 

 and it is understood that this work shall take precedence over all other. 

 The records of distributions made in past years have been examined, 

 and the names and addresses of the recipients of specimens copied into 



