45 



The Curator of Comparative Anatomy reported, that during 

 the last year, the increase in his department had been small. 

 The additions have been — a skeleton of a loon ; crania of a wolf 

 and porpoise ; cranium of a Sandwich Islander ; and about a 

 dozen national skulls, deposited by the Curator. 



The Curator of Comparative Anatomy took this opportunity to 

 remind the members and friends of the Society, that a collection 

 of national skulls would be a very desirable addition to the cabi- 

 net, and that it would not be very difficult, with their assistance, 

 to obtain one. Many authentic specimens are in the possession 

 of individuals who take no special interest in Ethnology ; many 

 are in the possession of, or easily obtained by friends among 

 Indians, in Australia, in California, and the Pacific Islands. If 

 these could be collected, and added to those already possessed 

 by the Society, a collection might be made of exceeding interest 

 and value to the students of Anthropology, who are now so 

 rapidly increasing in number. At any rate, the Society should 

 possess a collection of the skulls of the Ahoriginal American 

 Tribes^ who are now rapidly and forever fading away ; in a few 

 years it will be impossible to obtain authentic specimens. 



The Curator of Oology reported, that at the commencement 

 of the year, the collection of eggs amounted to 240 specimens, 

 belonging to 165 species, inclusive of six undetermined. During 

 the year, 37 species have been added, of 33 species. The 

 collection now contains the eggs of 198 species. Of these, 

 106 are North American ; 79, European ; 8, South American ; 

 2, African ; 1, Australian. 



The Curator of Oology availed himself of the present occasion 

 once more to solicit donations from members and others to this 

 department. In the hope to stimulate others to aid him in mak- 

 ing this collection more worthy of the Society, he had prepared 

 a catalogue of the Society's collection, to be submitted for publi- 

 cation in the Proceedings to enable gentlemen to observe and 

 supply its wants. 



The Curator of Oology also announced the donation of three 

 specimens of birds' eggs from Dr. Henry Bryant, viz. : Ephialtes 

 asio, Caprimulgus Carolinensis, Pytilis cardinalis. 



The Curator of Geology reported, that the portion of the cabi- 



