26 REPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1899. 



The great progress made in the study of North American mammals 

 during the last decade has rendered it necessary to thoroughly revise 

 the exhibition series representing this fauna, and the taxidermic work 

 was almost entirely restricted to North American species during the 

 past year. The object aimed at is to have on exhibition a perfect 

 specimen of every known species and subspecies inhabiting North 

 America. 



The exhibition series of North American fishes, reptiles, and batra- 

 chians was considerably improved and completely labeled. It can 

 not, however, be extended, nor can the faunas of other parts of the 

 world be represented without additional space. The present quarters 

 are far from ideal, either as regards lighting or arrangement of space. 



The most radical change of the year was in the Division of Birds. 

 On account of the large number of specimens mounted for various 

 expositions, and for other reasons, the exhibition series had become 

 entirely overcrowded, so that nothing could be seen satisfactorily. 

 After long consideration of the matter it seemed impossible to apply 

 any other remed}^ than to withdraw a large proportion of the birds. 

 This was done under the supervision of the curator and assistant 

 curator, and the result lias proved most satisfactory. Although the 

 lighting of the hall is not of the best, the whole exhibition series of 

 single-mounted specimens can now be seen to good advantage, except 

 in the quadrangular space in the center of the hall. No improvement 

 of the lighting is possible at that point without artificial means. 

 Experiments were made in that direction at the close of the year which 

 promise to solve the difiiculty. 



The groups of birds, which are among the most attractive features 

 of the series, are still poorly provided for. They are chiefly installed 

 in cases made for use in temporary expositions, and are neither dust- 

 tight nor sufficiently uniform in pattern. 



The exhibition series of invertebrates (other than mollusks and 

 insects) was very thoroughly revised. The main series, as in other 

 branches, is now North American. A new system of installation was 

 devised for the dry specimens, which are exhibited in flat table cases. 

 The specimens representing each species are placed in a separate shal- 

 low tray. All the trays are of equal depth and uniform in size (or 

 a multiple of the unit). When a case has its full complement of 

 trays it has the appearance of being divided into compartments, with 

 a single species in each compartment. The efl'ect is very satisfactory. 

 Temporary typewritten labels were made for the larger part of the 

 series during the year. Certain parts of the series, such as worms, 

 entomostraca, etc., are still incomplete, as the Museum collections do 

 not at present contain specimens in these classes suitable for exhibi- 

 tion purposes. 



The synoptic series of invertebrates, formed}^ in the Division of 



