18 REPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1892. 



ilir year was made by Dr. William L. Ralph, of New York, consisting 

 of 1,630 eggs and 100 nests, several of the species being new to the 

 Museum collection. This is the most valuable gift which has been 

 made to this collection for several years. In view of the large number 

 and great value of the contributions made by Dr. Ralph to the collec- 

 tion of birds' eggs in the National Museum, it is understood that this 

 collection will not be drawn upon for purposes of exchange or dona 

 tion, and that it will form an integral part of the national collection of 

 birds* eggs. A number of specimens, gathered in the Death Valley 

 region of southern California, were received from the Department of 

 Agriculture. There were received during the yeai 3,094 specimens, 

 involving 840 catalogue entries. 



REPTILES AM) IJATRACH1ANS. 



The curator, Dr. Leonhard Stejnegcr, reports that satisfactory pro- 

 gress has been made during the year. The work of installing, identi- 

 fying, and labeling the collections has been actively continued, and 

 preparations were made for an exhibit at the World's Colombian Ex- 

 position. The most valuable and interesting collection of reptiles 

 received by the Museum since 1890 was the material sent by Dr. C. 

 Hart Merriam, through the U. S. Department of Agriculture. These 

 specimens, over 000 in number, were collected by the Death Valley 

 Expedition in 1S01 from the desert regions of California, Nevada and 

 Utah. In addition to the collections mentioned in the last report, there 

 has been received a number of specimens from Mr. P. L. Jouy, obtained 

 by him in southern Arizona. Facilities for studying the collections 

 were afforded to Dr. O. P. Hay. of Irvington. ind., and Dr. G. Baur. 

 of Worcester, Mass. In addition to his other duties the curator has 

 continued his work on the supplementary volume of the "Nomenclator 

 Zoologicus." There were 1,055 entries in the catalogue of the depart- 

 ment during the year, embracing 1,004 specimens. 



FISHES. 



The work accomplished has, in general, been similar to that of the 

 preceding year. The honorary curator. Dr. Tarleton H. Bean, has been 

 occupied with his duties in connection with the U. S. Fish Commission. 

 and the routine work has chiefly devolved upon Mr. Barton A. Beau, 

 assistant curator. Fifty-five sets of duplicate fishes were prepared for 

 distribution to educational establishments. Each set contained about 

 125 species, including both fresh and salt water forms. Valuable 

 collections were received from the U. S. Fish Commission, Prof. B. W. 

 Evermann, Mr. P. L. Jouy, and Mr. Charles W. Richmond. The 

 estimated number of specimens added to the collection was 1,906, the 

 catalogue entries being 553. 



VERTEBRATE FOSSILS. 



A large collection of vertebrate fossils, secured by the honorary cura- 

 tor, Prof. O. C. Marsh, during his official work for the U. S. Geological 



