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The Curator of Comparative Anatomy reported, that during 

 the past year his department had been carefully arranged, and 

 most of the specimens legibly marked. Many valuable speci- 

 mens have been added both by donation and purchase. The 

 following have been added since the last report. 



The nearly entire skeleton of the Manatus, from the President, 

 one of the most valuable and interesting in the Society's collec- 

 tion (the only one in the country) ; the stuffed skin, also pre- 

 sented by the President; with numerous skeletons and crania, the 

 addition of which to the collection has been announced from 

 time to time. 



A splendid skeleton of a male Moose, presented by Dr. War- 

 ren, has been beautifully mounted by Dr. Shurtleff in his best 

 manner, and when finished will be the finest in the Cabinet, 

 which owes so much to his skill and perseverance. 



The principal donors to this department have been, the Presi- 

 dent, Drs. Perkins, Shurtleff, Plummer, Jackson, and Cabot: 

 and Messrs. W. S. Bullard, Elliot Torrey, G. Howland Shaw 

 (f 20), R. B. Forbes, Jr., and Cols. Cushing and Jacques. Sev- 

 eral skeletons are in active preparation. 



The Curator of Mineralogy reported, that about one hundred 

 specimens had been added to the collection during the year. 



The Curator of Herpetology reported, that the department 

 under his charge remained as last year. 



The Librarian reported, that during the past year there have 

 been added to the Library about five hundred volumes and sixty 

 pamphlets. 



Of these about three hundred volumes are the property of the 

 Republican Institute, having been deposited with us by an agree- 

 ment mutually beneficial to the two Associations. 



The whole number of books in the Library, including those 

 deposited, is about 3,500. 



We have also one hundred volumes of Reports on the Natural 

 History of Massachusetts, published by order of the Legislature, 

 and left at our disposal. 



The additions to the Library the past year have not been 

 numerous, but we have the satisfaction of knowing, that in value 

 they exceed probably those of any preceding year. 



