REPORT ON NATIONAL MUSEUM. 227 



ries," from which selections are made for donations to other museums or 

 to amplify the "Eeserve series." It is to be regretted that space will 

 not admit of a proper display of the exhibition set of reptiles, domestic 

 and foreign. 



In addition to the official record book of the department the follow- 

 ing records are also kept with great care : "Beeord of reserve series;" 

 "Beeord of general series;" "Beeord of letters received;" "Beeord of 

 letters sent;" " Beeord of requisitions." 



In these may be found recorded every matter of business transacted 

 in the department of reptiles. It should be stated that no inconsidera- 

 ble labor is involved in giving prompt attention to the official corre- 

 spondence, which at times ^s quite voluminous, for many letters of inquiry 

 are received from all parts of the world, which to answer require much 

 time, thought, and labor. During the year 1883, 90 letters have been 

 sent and 100 received. 



It has long been the desire of the Curator to have prepared a card cata- 

 logue of the entire collection in his care, but up to the present moment 

 it has been found impossible to spare the time from other and more im- 

 portant duties. 



The preparation of a Manual of Herpetology, based upon the collec- 

 tions in the National Museum, has been prosecuted as rapidly as circum- 

 stances would allow, and the manuscript is now nearly ready for the 

 printer. Nearly all the illustrations of serpents have been carefully 

 prepared by Mr. J. L. Eidgway, and others are now in the hands of the 

 artists. 



No special researches have been made by the Curator and his assist- 

 ants apart from those necessary in the preparation of the manual before 

 mentioned, but material has been furnished Dr. S. "Weir Mitchell for his 

 investigation in reptile venoms, to Dr. Mason, of Newport, B. I., and to 

 Dr. E. W. Shufeldt, U. S. A. " 



The collection may be said to be at the present time in very good con- 

 dition, as prompt attention is given it whenever needed. 



Number of specimens on hand at present. 



In reserve series 8, 342 



In general series . 7, 918 



In exhibition set: 



Domestic 600 



Foreign 150 



Not classified and exotic specimens, probably 5, 000 



Total 22, 000 



Total number of entries in record for the year 1883 965 



Total number of specimens received to January 1, 1884 , 1, 535 



Total number of entries in record to date 13, 745 



By the authority of the Director, a number of specimens have been 

 distributed in exchange for others more desirable, but no complete sets 



