21G REPORT ON NATIONAL MUSEUM. 



Plans. — The Curator is of the opinion that it would be best to arrange 

 the exhibition series upon a different principle from that at present 

 adopted whereby it would be attempted to show ouly single representa- 

 tives of the various genera. An exception should be made in the case 

 of the species inhabiting the United States, all of which should be 

 exhibited. 



The number of families of mammals now recoguized by zoologists 

 varies from 86 to 136. Estimating the number of genera at 1,100, if each 

 were represented in the exhibition series by a single species the collec- 

 tion would still be so large as to occupy a very considerable space. 

 Such an arrangement would, I believe, be much superior, from an edu- 

 cational point of view, to that at present adopted. 



Species not represented in the exhibition series could be kept in 

 drawers and be conveniently examined by those specially interested in 

 any branch of mammalogy. This view is in no way original, the plan 

 having already been adopted in a number of museums. 



It is proposed to substitute for the exhibition cases now in use others 

 specially designed for mammals and which will display the specimens 

 to better advantage. 



It is very desirable that specimens which are not in cases should be 

 protected from the constant handling and ruthless mutilation of visitors. 

 To devise a railing which will afford protection but not disfigure the 

 exhibition halls is a very difficult matter. The experiments which have 

 been made in this direction hitherto have not proved successful. 



Alphabetical list of accessions during 1883. 



Mr. Byron Andrews. A gopher skin (Geomys talpoides bulbivorus), from 

 Kingsbury County, Dakota. 



Messrs. Barton & Logan, Washington, I). G. A monkey (Ghlorocebus 

 sabmus) and a raccoon (Procyon lotor). Both of these specimens were 

 received in the flesh. 



Mr. 0. R. Beall, Leeland, Md. An example of monstrosity in the hog. 



Mr. L. Belding, Stockton, Gal. A tail of the mule deer ( Gariacus macrotis). 



Mr. E. G. Blackford, Fulton Market, New York. A young South Amer- 

 ican manatee (Trichcchus manatus) from Brazil. (Purchased.) 



British Museum, London, England. A stuffed skin and skeleton of the 

 Senegal manatee (Manatus senegalensis). (Exchange.) 



Mr. A. G. Broicn, Zoological Gardens, Philadelphia. A specimen of a 

 young California sea-elephant (Macrorhinus angustirostris). Received 

 in the flesh. 



Mr. J. T. Brown, JJ. S. National Museum, Washington, D. G. Three er- 

 mine skins (Putorius erminea); one spermophile (Spermophilus empe- 

 tra, var. empetra), from Hudson Bay, British America. 



Mr. E. G. Bryan, JJ. 8. National Museum, Washington, D. G A bat skel- 

 eton ( Vesperugo serotinus). 



