32 



have hitherto been kept out of sight for want of room. The Col- 

 lection is particularly deficient in specimens from the Southern 

 and Western parts of North America. 



The Curator of Comparative Anatomy reported the addition, 

 during the past year, of several very valuable specimens in his 

 department. 



The Curator o^ Mineralogy reported, that of the specimens in 

 his department belonging to the Society, eight hundred only 

 were thought worthy of a place on the shelves in the new build- 

 ing, where they have been deposited and classified. By permis- 

 sion of M*". Alger, he had selected from his cabinet eighty dupli- 

 cate specimens, which he now presented in his name. He had 

 also made choice of 850 worth of minerals, from a quantity de- 

 posited with Mr. Alger on sale, to be paid for from the money 

 subscribed in aid of the Society at Mr. Alger's solicitation. 



The Curator of OrnitJioIogy reported, that there have been 

 presented, by various individuals during the past year, eighty 

 Birds. He proposes to present, from his own Collection, over 

 one hundred specimens as soon as funds can be procured to 

 defray the expense of mounting them. 



A valuable collection of Birds' Eggs has been received from 

 G. A. Bethune, Esq. All the Bird Skins belonging to the Society 

 have been mounted and put in the cases. The whole number is 

 about six hundred and eighty. The Curator had, by his own 

 effort, raised a subscription of $120, to aid in defraying the ex- 

 pense of mounting the specimens under his charge. Donations 

 to this department during the past year have been received from 

 Major Townsend, Messrs. G. M. Dexter, E. C. Cabot, W. Sohier, 

 Robbins and Ogden, and Drs. Cabot, Shurtleff, Read, and Abbot. 



The Curator of Ichthyology reported, that the Cabinet under 

 his charge is not in so perfect a condition as it was several years 

 since, owing to the losses produced by the ravages of insects and 

 the means used to eradicate them. Several fine specimens have 

 however been received from Capt. N. E. Atwood, of Province- 

 town ; among them Somniosus hrevipinna^ and a new. species of 

 Blenny and Motella ; the latter two genera being new to the 

 waters of Massachusetts. 



