IIEPORT OF DEPARTMENT OF MAMMALS. 135 



from the ceiliii}?. The large wall-case of the north side of the same 

 range was completed earl^- in the year and filled with such specimens 

 as were ready. A considerable number of skeletons of the larger 

 ruminants i)roved too large to be accommodated in this case, and were 

 therefore j)laced temporarily upon the tops of certain of the table-cases. 

 At the same time a large terraced base w^as planned for the south side 

 of the range which .should ultimately receive them. This stand has 

 been very recently comi)leted, and will be occui)ied early in 1885. 



Almost no changes have taken place iu the hall devoted to mounted 

 mammals, except the return of certain seals exhibited at the London 

 Fisheries Exhibition in 1883, and the removal of others intended for the 

 Xew Orleans Exhibition. The cast of the ziphioid whale captured ou 

 the coast of Xew Jersey in 1883 has been conipleted, and is suspended 

 from the ceiling ou the east side of the hall. The exhibition series has 

 been several times carefully examined to preserve it against destruction 

 by insect*. 



WORK UPON THE STUDY SERIES. 



The study series both of skins and bones have also been carefully 

 examined to the same end. The collection of alcoholic bats was iden- 

 tified throughout. 



This small amount of progress is not at all commensurate with the 

 desires of the curator, but it was impracticable to do more under the 

 circumstances. 



The curator has received no extra assistance in the oflSce during the 

 year. Mr. W. G. Stimpson has acted at once in the capacity of general 

 assistant, copyist, and messenger, performing these multiform duties 

 very faithfully and satisfactorily. The force of taxidermists and osteo- 

 logical preparators was decidedly increased, the former in connection 

 with the New Orleans Exhibition, as will be presently noted. 3Tr. 

 Hornaday and Mr. Lucas remain in charge of this work as heretofore, 

 under the direction of the curator. More or less work has been done 

 for the department, as in former years, by Messrs. Joseph and William 

 Palmer. 



During the absence of the Assistant Director in the summer, the cura- 

 tor was called upon to act in his stead. He has not been relieved of 

 the care of the library, which occupies much time. 



THE NEW ORLEANS EXPOSITION. 



Even before money had been approi)riated for this exposition, plans 

 lor a display of the mammalia were under discussion. These were at 

 first of a very comprehensive character. It was intended that the en- 

 tire existing mammalian fauna of North America from the Isthmus of 

 Tanama northward should be exhibited species by species, and both by 

 skins or casts and skeletons, and that some of the more important ex- 

 tinct fauna should be restored. This plan necessarily suffered much 



