Miscellanies. 365 
and stalactites from Ohio; but far more interesting than these, sev- 
eral original specimens, together with a series of casts, of the newly 
discovered ornithichnites or bird tracks of Professor Hitchcock, have 
been added to our cabinet. . 
The members of the society are well aware why so little attention 
has been paid to enriching this portion of our collections. All the 
cases appropriated to mineralogy, are filled with the valuable deposit 
of Dr. C. T. Jackson. It is however very desirable that the cabinet 
strictly belonging to the society, should be enlarged, that we may be 
prepared to supply the vacancy which would be produced by the 
removal of the collection before us. 
Botany.—Although no addition of importance to the botanical 
department has been made during the last year, save a suit of plants 
collected in the neighborhood of Savannah, and presented by Mrs. 
Thomas Say, perhaps no portion of our collection has received more 
attention, or is becoming more rapidly, and at the same time, more: 
thoroughly arranged, than this. 
Zoo.ocy.—1. Mazology.—Previous to the last annual meeting, 
the body of an elephant weighing upwards of six tons was purchased 
by the subscription of several of ourmembers. The time and labor 
required to prepare it for exhibition, prevented its addition to our 
collection many months since. Several gentlemen assisted in the 
dissection of the body ; to our cabinet keeper alone, however, we are 
indebted for the completion of the perfect skeleton which ornaments 
our hall. ; 
2. Ornithology.—The exceedingly curious and rare nest of the 
Ploceus Phillipensis; the eggs of a few of our birds; and a valua-. 
ble collection of birds’ skins, from India, from J. J. Dixwell, Esq. 
to whom the society have been previously greatly indebted, are the- 
principal additions to our ornithological department. This portion: 
of our collection now contains several hundred species, of carefully 
preserved valuable foreign birds. But we are compelled to add, in 
the species of our own state, the deficiency is very great. Singular 
as it may appear, that department of our natural history, the means of 
acquiring a knowledge of which are most ample, and within the reach 
of all; whose objects are most generally known, and all of which 
have been accurately and scientifically described, which are interest- 
ing not merely to the naturalist, but claiming alike the attention and 
admiration of the cursory observer, this department which might be 
made most beautiful, and as its species can each be procured, most 
valuable, has been unpardonably neglected. 
