REPORT OF ASSISTANT SECRETARY. 59 



Dr. Theodore Gill, Associate in Zoology, has published a number of 

 papers on fishes during the year. These are based upon Museum 

 material, some of them containing descriptions of new species. De- 

 scriptive papers, based on the collections, have also been published by 

 other collaborators. 



Strenuous efforts will be made to improve the condition of the collec- 

 tions by setting aside surplus or duplicate material. The preparation 

 of an exhibit of deep-sea fishes, from 1,000 feet and lower, is contem- 

 plated. This exhibit, it is expected, will prove of great interest. 



About 3,000 specimens were received during the year, the catalogue 

 entries embracing Nos. 47505 to 47687, inclusive. The total number of 

 specimens in the collection is estimated at 150,000. 



DEPARTMENT OF MOLLUSKS. 



The honorary curator. Dr. W. H. Dall, states that there was a slight 

 increase in the number of accessions during the year, the total having 

 been 118, while the total for 1894-95 was 111. On the whole, the year 

 has not been marked by anything unusual in the growth of the collec- 

 tions, although many valuable specimens were added. An excellent 

 local collection of shells from Texas, made by Mr. J. A. iSingley, was 

 purchased with funds supplied by Dr. L. T. Chamberlain, of New York 

 City. Many very valuable foreign Unios, and other specimens new 

 to the collection, were derived from the same source. In addition, 

 some works have been purchased for the sectional library during the 

 year through Dr. Chamberlain's generosity. Others who have steadily 

 contributed to the collections in this department, and who are thereby 

 entitled to be regarded as regular contributors, are Hon. J. D. Mitchell, 

 Victoria, Tex., who presented a number of species of Unios and other 

 specimens from his locality; Mr. and Mrs. T. S. Oldroyd, Los Angeles, 

 Cal. ; Mr. F. F. Crevecoeur, Onaga^ Kans., who sent in a number of 

 species of land and fresh- water shells; Mr. Henry Hemphill, San Diego, 

 Cal., from whom between thirty and forty species of marine mollusks 

 from San Diego, and other material, was received; Mr. P. B. Eandolph, 

 Seattle, Wash., who sent many specimens from his locality; Dr. C. F. 

 jSTewcombe, Victoria, B. C, from whom marine shells were received; 

 and Dr. W. L. Abbott, who sent material from eastern Madagascar. 

 The addition of greatest importance was the Fish Commission mate- 

 rial transferred from the Peabody Museum, New Haven, Conn. This 

 material has been in the hands of Prof. A. E. Verrill for some years 

 for study, and is now being gradually transmitted to the National 

 Museum. 



As stated elsewhere, the exhibition series is in good condition, and 

 much has been done in connection with the study series. The excel- 

 lent system adopted in the installation and registration of these collec- 

 tions will be fully appreciated only when the entire work has been 

 completed. 



