curator's report. 7 



Barris, who has also contributed important papers on those subjects, and 

 very considerable contributions have been made by several other parties, 

 as is shown by the list of donations. 



IN NATURAL UISTORY. 



We have received some very desirable acquisitions of birds, etc., from 

 Mrs. Sanders, Mrs. Putnam, and others ; and several himdred species of 

 marine, fresh water and land shells, and some fine corals and other 

 marine specimens from several contributors. 



In local species, most important of all, we have a very complete collec- 

 tion in tlie department of conchology; and the very extensive entomolog- 

 ical and botanical collections of Mr. Putnam and Dr. Parry, which have 

 been placed here, add very much to the interest and usefulness of the 

 Museum. 



Of the birds, fishes and reptiles of this locality, the collection is 

 exceedingly limited and certainly demands prompt attention to make it 

 what it should be. It is to be hoped that another year will not be allowed 

 to pass, leaving this very important work still undone. 



The following is an approximate statement of the contents of the 

 Museum at this date : 



Archceology. — From the Mounds— Copper axes, 22 ; copper knives, 3 ; 

 copper awls, 14 ; copper beads, 285 ; carved stone pipes, 20 ; ornaments 

 or charms of shell, bone, horn and teeth, 30 ; shell drinking vessels, 3 ; 

 shell and pearl beads, several hundred ; shell money, 150 ; mound build- 

 ers' skulls, 28. Articles not from the Mounds.— Flint implements, 7500 ; 

 stone implements, 800 ; hematite implements, 28 ; skulls, mostly Indian 

 29; casts of ancient implements and relics, 8 ; Indian pipes, bows and 

 arrows, 20. 



Geology and Pakeontology.—ii\\ima.n fossils, 115 species; devonian 

 fossils, 145 species ; carboniferous fossils, 150 species ; cretaceous fossils, 

 30 species. 



Mineralogy. — About 300 species of minerals named, and a fine collec- 

 tion of quartz crystals. 



Zoology and Natural History. — Mammals, mounted. 13 species; birds, 

 mounted, 90 specimens ; bird skins, unmounted, -50 specimens ; birds' 

 eggs, 40 species ; skulls of animals and birds, 42 species ; land and fresh 

 water shells, 400 species; marine shells, 500 species; marine corals, 

 sponges, crabs, etc., 50 species. 



Entomology.— Mr. Putnam's collection of insects, about 8000 species. 



Botany. — Plants, arranged and labeled — chiefly Dr. Parry's collection 

 — 15,000 species. 



Historical and antique relics, curiosities, etc., 200. 



Coins, mostly copper, about 400. 



Respectfully submitted. 



W. H. Pratt, Curator. 

 January 1, 1879. 



