72 REPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1«95. 



tliG casts and fossil bones of large vertebrates are a constant source of 

 wonder and interest to visitors, A loan of the type of Aceratherium 

 occideiitdic was made to Prof. H. F. Osborn for use in liis studies of the 

 extinct species of rliiuoceros in Xortli America. A large number of 

 specimens received previously liave been catalogued only during this 

 year. These, together with the entry of material received in 18'.)4-95, 

 make a total of 283 entries in tlie catalogue, the last number taken up 

 in June, 1804, being 1635, and in June, 1805, 1918. 



One of tiie most important accessions to the department of paleon- 

 tology, from the standpoint of scientific value, is the collection of Ter- 

 tiary insects from Colorado and Wyoming, received from the U. S. Geo- 

 logical Survey. The greater part of it has already been described 

 and illustrated by Prof. Samuel 11. Scudder in Monograph xxi of the 

 Survey. 



The magnificent collection of fossil plants, including also some fossil 

 fishes, presented by Mr. E. D. Lacoe, of Pittston, Pa., has been referred 

 to in previous reports. The removal of the collection to Washington 

 was placed in the hands of Mr. David White, who has pushed the work 

 rapidly forward with untiring and intelligent perseverance. The sixth 

 installment has been received during the year. This consisted of two 

 boxes of fishes from New Jersey, three boxes of Cretaceous and Tertiary 

 plants, and 43 boxes of Paleozoic plants. 



It is expect(Ml that additional material will be received during* the 

 coming year, and in the Eei)ort for 1895-90 a more extended reference 

 will be made to the character and contents of this exceedingly valuable 

 collection. 



Much has been accomplished toward housing and arranging the mate- 

 rial. During the year 104 boxes have been unpacked, and with the 

 specimens received in former years this collection fills the 600 drawers 

 purchased for the collection, to which the two south tower rooms are 

 devoted. The arrangement and installation of the material has been 

 performed by Mr. David White. 



A large collection of Middle Cambrian fossils from British Columbia, 

 fossil plants from llhode Island and Massachusetts, and fossil fishes, 

 1)1 ants, and insects from the Triassic in Massachusetts, have been 

 received from the U. S. Geological Survey. Mr. 11. A. Blair, Sedalia, 

 Mo., has presented 60 specimens of Lower Carboniferous fossils, includ- 

 ing several specimens of a well-preserved graptolite {Dictyonema). 

 Their occurrence extends the known range of these coelenterates into 

 the base of the Lower Carboniferous. This is a matter of considerable 

 scientifi(^ importance, as graptolites had not hitherto been known to 

 occur above the Middle Devonian. 



The exhibit of the paleontological material is contained, so far as at 

 present prepared, in the southeast court, which has been again o])eued 

 to the i)ublic. A new and more ap])ropriate entrance to the court was 

 cut through the south wall, and tiie eastern one closed. The former 



