DEPARTMENT OF MAMMALS. 351 



The matter of providing new storage-cases for the study-series was 

 brought to a head by the otter on the part of the Bureau of Economic 

 Ornithology and Mammalogy of the Department of Agriculture, to de- 

 posit its collections of North American mammals in the Museum, if 

 suitable cases for their reception were provided. It was finally decided 

 to adopt metallic cases for the entire study series. Two large zinc-storage 

 cases and a smaller tin case were obtained in Cambridge, Massachu- 

 setts, tor trial. As a further experiment one compartment in the large 

 storage base in the Osteological hall was liued with zinc and furnished 

 with a dust-tight front, and one of the three-quarter unit tables in the 

 south hall was also made dust-proof. These have proved very satisfac- 

 tory during the short time that they have been in use, and the Curator 

 has recommended that all the bases in the exhibition hall of the de- 

 partment be remodeled in the same manner. The drawers in the large 

 metal-lined compartment already referred to are four times as large as 

 the ordinary unit drawers in general use in the Museum, and are admi- 

 rably suited for the storage of large skins. 



Considerable attention has been paid to the matter of providing a 

 substitute for the large tin-lined copper tanks which have hitherto been 

 used for the storage of alcoholic specimens of large size. These tanks, 

 besides being expensive, are constantly deteriorating, on account of 

 the fact that the acetic acid and other impurities in the alcohol dissolve 

 the tin linings and attack the copper walls of the tanks. As a result, 

 the tanks soon begin to leak, and the hair aud bones of the specimens 

 preserved in them are dyed green by the salts of copper in the alcohol. 

 Inquiries have been made as to whether earthenware jars of suitable 

 form and size could not be obtained in the market. Thus far, 

 however, nothing suitable has been found, some of the jars offered 

 being of too heavy weight, others too expensive, and others still coated 

 with glazes which might be dissolved by alcohol. It will probably be 

 found necessary to have jars manufactured, which shall be of a form 

 and quality especially adapted for the uses of the Museum. 



A considerable amount of re-arrangement was made necessary in the 

 exhibition hall after the ret urn of the collection exhibited in Cincinnati. 

 The cases now in the hall are not sufficient for the exhibition of the 

 entire collection, aud a small number of new ones are greatly needed. 

 Special cases for the groups of opossums and prairie-dogs were made 

 dining the year, ami the groups were placed in them. Temporary 

 bases for Steller's sea-lion and the walrus were made prior to the 1th 

 of March, in order to secure these specimens from injury at the hands 

 of the crowds of visitors who were in the Museum at that date. A 

 new case for the elephant "Mtingo" was placed in the hall, but has not 

 yet been brought into use I regret t<» state that this ease was consid- 

 erably injured by visitors on the 4th of March, in spite of the efforts 

 • if the watchmen to protect it. Plans were made for arranging the 

 collection of deers' antlers on the *>iers at the north end of the exhi- 



