76 THE NAUTILUS. 



are thirty thousand birds including the Gould collection of Austra- 

 lian species, the Bonaparte collection of European species and Ver- 

 reaux series from Asia and Africa. 



The collection of fossils, which is being systematically arranged 

 by Prof. Angelo Heilprin, Curator-in-charge, contains some 20,000 

 trays of specimens besides a larger number of original types of 

 American Tertiary fossils than all other collections in existence. 



The Minerals, including the superb collection of the late Wm. S. 

 Vaux, equal in numbers and beauty the best in the country. 



Of no less interest and value is the collection of Insects which in 

 extent and completeness is almost unrivaled. Nor less instructive 

 and attractive is the Herbarium with its vast number of specimens, 

 including 35,000 species of flowering plants. 



Many other equally important collections are contained in the 

 Museum. 



Among these may be mentioned the Fishes, Reptiles, Corals, 

 Sponges and Crustaceans, all of which are largely represented. 



There are also some 1,700 specimens of human Crania and a host 

 of Archaelogical objects. 



But of more especial interest, perhaps, to the readers of the Nau- 

 tilus is the Conchological collection. 



This is equal in all respects to the best in the world, and super- 

 ior to all in the systematic arrangement of the specimens. There 

 are fully thirty thousand species and named varieties in the collec- 

 tion, these embracing nearly a half million of specimens, the majority 

 of which were presented from time to time by prominent Concholo- 

 gists whose knowledge and means enabled them to select and secure 

 the best examples available. To this fact may be ascribed much of 

 the beauty and value of the collection. 



As already stated the arrangement of the collection is superior to 

 any in the world, and this is directly due to the careful study and 

 matchless executive ability of the late Mr. Tryon who planned it in 

 accordance with the design previously prepared by him for his 

 masterly work the Manual of Conchology. 



He did not live to see the entire fulfilment of his wishes but they are 

 being faithfully carried out by his friend and sometime assistant, 

 Mr. H. A. Pilsbry, the present conservator of the department and 

 Editor of the Manual. 



The primal group in the arrangement is a synoptical one embra- 

 cing all of the principal genera known. 



