REPORT OF ASSISTANT DIRECTOR. 



41 



The iudicatioii is that tbe ventilation is imperfect, not only during 

 the lecture, but in the Museum generally, the permanent air showing 

 at all times of examination too great an excess of CO^ over that out of 

 doors. 



March 10, 1884. 



15. THE WORK OF THE MUSEUM PREPARATORS. , 



A number of additional preparators have been employed during the 

 year, for special work upon the collections for the New Orleans Exposi- 

 tion, and an unusual quantity of objects for the exhibition series have 

 been completed during the year in the workshops, as is shown in the 

 review of the operations of the scientific departments. 



{a) Taxidermists. 



The main workshop, which is devoted chiefly to work upon the mam- 

 mals, is under the direction of Mr. William T. Horuadaj', chief taxider- 

 mist, and the general excellence of its work testifies to the eflSciency of 

 its stall'. The preparation of the exhibit for the JSTew Orleans Exposi- 

 tion added considerably to its work, and during the summer-83 speci- 

 mens, representing 78 si)ecies, were mounted specially for the exposition. 



During the year Mr. Hornaday and his assistants mounted 114 speci- 

 mens, representing 91 species, and classified as follows : 



In addition to the work already specified, the skins of 57 mammals 

 were removed and preserved. A collection of Australian fishes, con- 

 sisting of GO si)eciraens, was repaired and repainted. Twelve fur-seals 

 were repaired, and 24 large mammals were mounted on new pedestals. 

 The large seal group, which had been sent to the Fisheries Exhibition 

 in London in 1883, was reconstructed, and the collection of Ungulates 

 renovated. Twenty-one 8i)ecimeus of birds, fishes, &c., were mounted, 

 and two groups of small mammals made and set up. 



ny an omission in the records of last year the Museum failed to make 

 acknowledgment to ^Ir. Hornaday for his gift of a mounted setter, 

 valued at $250, and to certain members of the Society of American 

 Taxidermists for some 25 objects presented to the National Museum. 



