62 REPORT OF ASSISTANT SECRETARY. 



Mammals. — The monkeys and South American mammals generally 

 have been studied by Dr. J. H. Shick, and the bats by Dr. H. Allen, 

 both of Philadelphia. Several species not previously described have 

 been found among them by these gentlemen. 



Birds. — Mr. Cassin has continued his examinations of the South 

 American birds. Mr. Elliot Coues has monographed the North Ameri- 

 can Tringew, or sandpipers; the Larida', or gulls; the Colymhida^, or 

 divers, and the AegiotM, or pine finches. Several of these have 

 already been published. Dr. Bryant has examined the Guillemots 

 and large hawks, and Mr. Lawrence has identified the humming-birds. 



Reptiles. — Mr. E. D. Cope has studied the exotic reptiles generally, 

 and has had special reference to those from South America, Mexico, 

 and the West Indies. Many new species have been described by 

 him from the Smithsonian specimens. Professor Agassiz has not yet 

 returned the Smithsonian collection of turtles. 



Fishes. — Professor Agassiz has still in hand the Exploring Expedi- 

 tion fishes, a collection of nearly one thousand species. Mr. Alexan- 

 der Agassiz has examined the Smithsonian Emhiotocoids, or vivipa- 

 rous fishes of California. Mr. F. W. Putnam has completed the study 

 of the Etlieostomoids, and entered on that of the Cottoids. Several 

 other important families have been sent to the Museum of Compara- 

 tive Zoology, for investigation by students of Professor Agassiz. Mr. 

 Gill has made particular study of the west coast fishes, and those col- 

 lected at Cape St. Lucas by Mr. Xantus. 



Crustacea. — Mr. Ordway has examined several groups of the Crus- 

 tacea, and others have been studied by Mr. Stimpson. 



Radiates. — Mr. Stimpson has finished the study of the Asteriades, 

 and Professor Agassiz has had in hand other of the star fishes. Mr. 

 Yerrill has made a detailed examination of all the corals. 



Mollushs. — Mr. P. P. Carpenter has had in his hands for investiga- 

 tion, aided by Dr. Alcock, all the shells of the west coast of America, 

 and many of the exotic collections. Certain marine families have 

 been sent to Professor Agassiz. Mr. Isaac Lea has named all the 

 TJnionidoi. Mr. Binney has taken charge of the land and fresh-water 

 Univalves; Mr. Bush has the Polyzoa. The Cephalopods have all been 

 sent to Dr. Steenstrup, of Copenhagen, for a report. 



Insects. — Dr. Le Conte and Mr. Ulke have examined the North 

 American Coleoptera ; Baron Osten Sacken and Dr. Loew Wiq Diptera ; 

 Dr. Hagen the Neuroptera ; Mr. Edwards and Drs. Morris and Clem- 

 ens the Lepidoptera, and Mr. Uhler the Hemiptera. 



Fossils. — Dr. Newberry has studied many of the fossil plants. Mr. 

 Meek, aided by Dr. Hayden, has identified all the fossils collected by 

 the latter gentleman. Dr. Gabb, of Philadelphia, has investigated a 

 number of the tertiary and cretaceous shells. 



Rocks and Minerals.— Mr. Thomas Egleston, jr., has been engaged 



