EEPORT OF ASSISTANT SECRETARY. 33 



coniploted u revision of the froo-tailecl l)ats. IIo botran also a revision 

 of European mammals and a correlation of the life zones of Europe 

 and North America. 



Mr. Rol)ert Kidgway continued work on his extensive manual of 

 North and Middle American birds, completing the family Fringillidas, 

 and entering upon the families Corvidse and Tanagridiv;. It is antici- 

 pated that the lirst part of this work will be ready for publication 

 next year. Considerable progress was made by Dr. C. W. Richmond 

 in the preparation of a card catalogue of described genera and species 

 of birds. 



Mr. Barton A. Bean and Dr. Hugh M. Smith, of the U. S. Fish 

 Commission, prepared a preliminary catalogue of the fishes of the 

 District of Columl)ia. 



Mr. William H. Dall presents the following statement regarding 

 his work on mollusks: 



During the year the greater portion of iny time given to investigation has ])een 

 specially occupied by a revision of the species and the classification of bivalve mol- 

 lusks belonging to the Tertiary beds of the United States, and incidentally of the 

 marine fauna of its shores. Many of our living species are found also in several 

 Tertiary strata, and therefore in studying species which are found in the Tertiary 

 beds it is necessary to compare them with the living species as well as with other 

 fossils in order to make sure that they are undescribed or identify them with already 

 described species. For this reason the investigation of the Tertiary fauna which I 

 have been carrying on for a number of years, and which is now nearly finished, has 

 practically included in nearly all the groups a revision of the classification of the 

 living animals of the same groups common to our coast. During the past year 

 especial attention was given to some of these groups, among which may be men- 

 tioned the Leptonacea, the Solens, and some groups of the Lucinidte. Nearly all the 

 time available for special researches has been devoted to this subject, and such other 

 researches as I may have made are comparatively unimportant. 



Mr. C. T. Simpson continued his study of the river mussels, or 

 JVaiades, and reports that he has completed a classification of the 

 group and will soon be prepared to publish the results of his work. 



Mr. J. E. Benedict has continued his work on the crustaceans of the 

 family Galatheidte. Miss M. J. Rathbun prepared an article on the 

 Decapod Crustaceans of West Africa for the New York State Colo- 

 nization Society. 



Mr. F. A. Lucas has completed his study of the fossil bisons of 

 North America and continued his investigations on the anatomy of the 

 swifts and the development of the skull of the cormorant. 



In addition to his scientific labors as Botanist of the Department of 

 Agriculture, Mr. F. V. Coville entered upon a comprehensive study of 

 the genus Bibes. Mr. Rose has continued his monograph of the 

 Agaves, and visited Mexico for the purpose of studying and collecting 

 specimens of the more obscure forms. Mr. Pollard has progressed 

 with his work on the violets, and in that connection has prepared sets 

 of authentic specimens of the various species of Viola for distribution. 

 NAT MUS 99 3 



