REPORT ON NATIONAL MUSEUM. 215 



specimens now on exhibition is such that it will be necessary to replace 

 them by others. 



The condition of the collections is decidedly better than when last 

 reported upon. The application of preservatives to the series of skins, 

 the re-examination of the osteological collection, and all of the other 

 operations referred to in previous parts of this report, have had a most 

 beneficial effect upon the specimens. As has been already stated, the 

 exhibition series of mounted skins needs renewing, a work which has 

 already been begun. 



The alcoholic series is in better condition than hitherto, but many of 

 the specimens cannot be introduced into the exhibition series on account 

 of the loss of fur caused by the weakening of the alcohol. To avoid 

 this difficulty in the future it is proposed to seal the bottles withparaffine. 



The osteological collection does not deteriorate by neglect so rapidly 

 as the other series, and after some repairs have been made, will be in 

 an excellent condition. 



The living mammals exhibited in the rotunda (see Eeport, 1882, p. 39) 

 have not fared well. The Mexican deer and the two specimens of the 

 tufted marmoset have died. The spermophiles escaped from their cage 

 in the night and for a long time could not be found. At length two of 

 the specimens were discovered among some storage-boxes, and one was 

 recaptured unhurt ; the other was hurt during the moving of the boxes, 

 but revived sufficiently to escape once more, and has not since been 

 seen. The owl monkey has remained in good condition. A prairie dog 

 and an opossum have been added to the collection. 



Plans and recommendations. 



Desiderata. — The collection of mammals is at present most deficient 

 in African species. An expedition to that continent could be profitably 

 made for no other pdrpose than the collection of mammals. Any of 

 the great number of species of ruminants which abound in that country, 

 as well as of insectivores and bats, would be most acceptable. The 

 mammals of Asia and Europe are also represented in the collections only 

 by a comparatively small number of specimens. 



The department is richest in the species inhabiting North, Central, 

 and South America. Good specimens of the Atlantic and Pacific wal- 

 ruses, however, are still prominent desiderata. The series of cetaceans 

 of the northern Pacific presents many gaps. It is probable that a com- 

 plete skeleton of the gray whale, Rhachanectes glaucas, does not exist in 

 any collection, though the species is apparently somewhat more abundant 

 than previously. More skins and skeletons of the American manatees 

 are exceedingly desirable, in order that it may be definitely determined 

 whether the species are one, two, or three in number. Among South 

 American mammals more specimens of the monkeys, bats, and small 

 rodents are much needed. 



