142 REPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1893. 



disapp()iiitiii,i; to one nufainiliar with the conditions. It is often very 

 difficult to obtain the skins of animals of the proper ages, or of both 

 sexes. On account of the great geographical variation of Aniericaa 

 mamnuils, the specimens for any one group must be from a single local- 

 ity. The obtaining of accessories — plants, characteristic rocks, soil, 

 turf, etc. — is often ditticult. Photograi)hs of living specimens for the 

 guidance of the taxidermists are not always accessible, and, further- 

 more, in many cases there is much diversity of opinion regarding 

 habits. All these circumstances, together with the mechanical difficul- 

 ties involved, cause the groups to be expensive both of time and labor. 



While the taxidermic work was progressing, attention was given to 

 the preparation of labels. Those for the groups were descriptive, and 

 were in several instances accompanied by small maps on which the 

 geographical distribution of the species was indicated. The single 

 specimens in the systematic series were provided with labels through- 

 out, giving names, localities, etc., and, in addition, a larger label was 

 made for each family, in which a brief summary of the characters, dis- 

 tribution, and habits of the group was presented. All these labels were 

 uniform with those regularly used in the Museum, and were printed at 

 the Government Printing Office. 



Mention has been made of the series of domesticated animals, in the 

 prei)aration of which this department gave some assistance. The series, 

 so far as mammals were concerned, was not so successful as was desired, 

 but some forms little known in the United States were, nevertheless, 

 exhibited. As examples, may be mentioned the yak, obtained in India 

 for the Museum by the late Dr. J. Wood-Mason; the zebu of India, the 

 domestic buffalo of Africa, and the paca of South America. 



As ornaments to the general zoological exhibit a number of mounted 

 heads of the large game of the world were displayed. The following 

 species are represented : 



Eland, African. Clark's Gazelle, African. 



Greater Koodoo, African. Waller's Gazelle, African. 



Lesser Koodoo, African. Dorcas Gazelle, African. 



Argali, or wild sheep of Thibet, Asiatic. Sommering's Gazelle, African. 



Bnrhel, or blue wild sheep, Asiatic. Speke's Gazelle, African. 



Thar, or Himalayan wild goat, Asiatic. Salt's Gazelle, African. 



Asiatic Ibex, Asiatic. Sassaby, or Ilartbcest, Africa. 



Beisa Antelope, African. Jackson's Hartbeest, African. 



Nylghau, Asiatic. Siberian Boar, Asiatic. 



While the arrangement of the exhibit was, on the whole, effective, 

 the necessity of 'crowding the cases together detracted considerably 

 from its appearance. 



The curator has prepared the following statement of the events of 

 the year : 



The accessions are, many of them, of a very interesting character. The Museum 

 is especially indebted to Ur. W. L. Abbott, for a collection from Aldabra, the 

 SevdicUes, and other islands of the Indian Ocean, iu which are included three 



