70 REPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1896. 



paleontology, are referred to in the review of the department of paleon- 

 tology. 



Ten papers have been published during the year by the curator. He 

 also completed and edited a posthumous paper of Dr. Joseph Leidy on 

 "Fossil Vertebrates of the Alachua Clays of Florida." 



Among those who have cooperated with the department, Lieut. Wirt 

 Robinson, United States Army, and Mr. A. W. Anthony, San Diego, 

 California, should be mentioned, the former having contributed several 

 species of liumming-birds in alcohol, and the latter some specimens 

 of petrels. 



lieferring to the further development of the department, Mr. Lucas 

 submits tlie following plans: 



It would be very desirable to fill up the gaps in the exhibition series of birds, rep- 

 tiles, and fishes, to extend the tooth series and that showing the modifications of the 

 dermis and epidermis, and to add to the synoptic series of invertebrates. 



A few cliangcs of irons and pedestals are needed among the mammals, and a large 

 number of labels should be supplied where they are now lacking. Finally, the 

 exhibition series needs much rearrangement, as also does the study series. 



In regard to scientific work, the curator would like to complete the study of the 

 development of the skull among the cormorants, and, if material can be obtained, 

 to finish work on the osteology of the cormorants in relation to the origin and dis- 

 tribution of the grou]). It is hoped that the paper on the fossil bisons of North 

 America may be completed and work begun on the Dinosaurs of the Potomac. It 

 is also desirable to continue the study of the swifts and of the modifications of the 

 tongues of birds, while the paper on the Zenglodon, undertaken in conjunction with 

 Mr. True, should V)e proceeded with as rapidly as possible. 



About the middle of June, 1896, Mr. Lucas started for the Pribilof 

 Islands as a member of a special commission appointed by the Presi- 

 dent to investigate the present condition of the fur-seal herds on the 

 Pribilof, Commander, and Kurile islands. 



The number of specimens added during the year is as follows: 

 Fishes, 51; reptiles, 62; birds, 69; mammals, 17; models, 8; total, 207. 

 There are now over 15,000 specimens in the collections. The last cat- 

 alogue entries at the end of the year just closed and at the end of the 

 preceding year are shown in the following table: 



Fishes . . . 



Keptiles 

 Birds ... 

 Models . 



June 30, 1895. 



26, 175 

 29, 382 

 19, 393 

 53,512 



Juno 30, 1896. 



26, 185 

 29, 395 

 19, 440 

 53, 520 



DEPARTMENT OF PALEONTOLOGY. 



This department remains in charge of Mr. Chas. D.Walcott, Director 

 of the United States Geological Survey, who holds the position of hon- 

 orary curator. 



The scientitic value of the material received has been far greater 



