52 HEPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1896. 



lemurs and of the insectivores peculiar to that island were added to 

 the Museum collections. Prof. R. E. Call explored the caves of Ken- 

 tucky and obtained in the Mammoth Cave a large number of bats for 

 the Museum. Mr. William Palmer made an expedition to the Dismal 

 Swamj), Virginia, and collected a few mammals. 



It is pleasant to refer here to the enthusiastic cooperation of Dr. 

 E, A. Mearns, U. S. A. Both in the field and in the laboratory his 

 energies and intelligent aid have been of very great value to the 

 Museum. 



Three papers based upon collections made by Dr. Mearns and Mr. F. 

 X. Holzner have been published by the Museum. These contain 

 descriptions of eighteen new species and subspecies. 



The curator thus outlines the general course which it seems desir- 

 able to follow in the future in connection with the development of this 

 department : 



The collcf'tious of mnmmals made by the Department of Agricnltnre in the last 

 few years being cited in the publications of that Department as belonging to the 

 National ^luseum, it is taken for granted that they do now and always will form a 

 part of the Government collections of the Museum. Such being the case, it seems 

 inadvisable to spend money in procuring North American mammals at this time, 

 except of such species as are not collected by the Department of Agriculture or of 

 which siieciiiiens are needed for exhibition purposes. 



On the other baud, all kinds of foreign mammals are greatly to be desired. The 

 tendency of work in America at present is to follow broader lines than hitherto, and 

 the foreign species are needed for comparison with our own. 



We ought to be on the lookout, furthermore, to secure specimens of large foreign 

 species which are threatened with extinction. Some which were obtainable twenty- 

 five years ago are no longer to be had. 



Additions to the groups of North American mammals are in view, 

 but there is great discouragement in this direction, it being impossible 

 at the present time to find exhibition space for five groups already pre- 

 l)ared. A fur-seal group is now being provided for. 



Mr. True, in addition to his duties as curator of mammals, has served 

 during the year as chairman of the Committee on Publications, and 

 has freipiently been (tailed upon to act as Executive Curator in matters 

 affecting the general administration of the Museum. 



The department suffered a severe loss in the death of Mr. R. S. 

 Matthews, wlii(;li occurred on November 13, 1895. 



The appended statement shows the number of specimens in the col- 

 lection and the number of catalogue entries made during the year: 



Sjyecimens. 



Total number of specimens in the collection June 30, 1895 14,432 



l.'eceivtul during the fiscal year 1895-96 1,048 



Distributed during the fiscal year 1895-96 265 



Increase, liscal year 189.5-9t) 7g3 



Total number of specimens in the collection June 30, 1896 15, 215 



