131 



are exposed to view, temporarily aiTanged in the railing-cases 

 of the first gallery. This disposition does not allow of the 

 display of the larger and more showy specimens, so that 

 altogether not more than one-third of the collection is on 

 exhibition, the remainder being stored in one of the un- 

 opened rooms, which we hope may soon be furnished for 

 their public display; in consequence of the want of any 

 suitable place for the exhibition of the specimens in this 

 department, the collection remains much as it was at the last 

 annual report. The Curator calls attention to the deficiency 

 of the Museum in alcoholic specimens of Mollusca, which 

 would greatly enhance the interest and value of the collec- 

 tion for scientific purposes. Some interesting collections 

 have been received during the past year, especially a collec- 

 tion of determined species containing over 500 specimens 

 from Cape St. Lucas, received from Dr. Bryant, and another 

 smaller collection of Cuban shells from Dr. Gundlach. The 

 additions have amounted to nearly 2,500 specimens, received 

 from Drs. S. A. Bemis, H. I. Bowditch, H. Bryant, J. Gund- 

 lach, S. Kneeland, A. S. Packard, and C. F. Winslow; and 

 Messrs. Bishop, Dall, Hubbard, Scudder, Shurtleff" and Wilhs, 

 and by purchase. 



The upper gallery is devoted to the remaining depart- 

 ments. That of Herpetology occupies the wall cases at the 

 eastern end. The collection consists of about 500 species, 

 not far from half of which are upon exhibition. This num- 

 ber, though small, represents to a tolerable degree the 

 Reptiles of New England, and contains some rare specimens 

 fi'om this, as well as foreign countries ; it is much to be 

 regretted, however, that the department wants some of the 

 most common, even, of our 3Iassachusetts reptiles, a deficien- 

 cy which ought least of all to occur here, and which it is 

 hoped will speedily be remedied, now that it is known. 

 The Curator has been occupied during the past year, as far as 

 time and opportunity allowed, in continuing the identifica- 

 tion and classification of the specimens under his care. As 

 soon as this important work can be accomplished, each speci- 

 men will be labelled carefiilly; at present, the collection is 



