REPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1910. 33 
a work which has required extended examination and will be appre- 
ciated by all who may have occasion to consult the collection. Being 
_ provided with distinctive labels, any type or group of types can be 
readily found as soon as the new arrangement is completed. Spec- 
imens to the number of 14,128 were entered in the record books, many 
cards were added to the card catalogue, and many jars were labeled. 
A collection of fishes from Vancouver Island, British Columbia, 
was the subject of joint study by the assistant curator, Mr. Barton 
A. Bean, and the aid, Mr. A. C. Weed, who also have in preparation 
a new set of instructions for collecting and preserving fishes. Among 
those who made use of the collections during the year were assistants 
of the Bureau of Fisheries, Dr. Theodore Gill, and Mr. C. V. Burke, 
formerly of Stanford University. 
Insects —The most important accessions of the year consisted of 
transfers from the Bureau of Entomology of the Department of 
Agriculture, including the following: A collection of insects inju- 
rious to forest trees, mainly coleoptera of the family Scotytide, 
comprising some 800,000 specimens, assembled in connection with 
the investigations on forest insects which have been carried on 
by the bureau for a number of years; 5,000 miscellaneous insects 
collected at Tampico, Mexico, by Mr. E. A. Schwarz; about 200 
specimens of coleoptera, identified by Mr. A. L. Montandon; 500 
microlepidoptera, and 200 bred parasitic hymenoptera. About 400 
specimens of sawflies, of which many are types and paratypes, were 
presented by Mr. S. A. Rohwer, of the Bureau of Entomology; 406 
named Tasmanian coleoptera were received as a gift from Mr. H. D. 
Baker, American consul at Hobart; some 500 specimens of miscel- 
laneous insects were contributed by the Washington Biologists’ Field 
Club; and about 1,000 Japanese coleoptera were obtained in exchange 
from Mr. John D. Sherman, jr., of Brooklyn, New York. 
The division of insects was moved to the new building in August, 
1909, and occupies the entire northwest range on the third floor, 
with the exception of two rooms. The new quarters are far more 
commodious than the old and much better adapted to the needs of 
the division. Additional metal cases and drawers of the improved 
form were provided, and the transfer of specimens to them has been 
going on as rapidly as practicable. Much more remains to be done 
in this direction, however, and considerable time will be required to 
place the material already on hand in proper shape for reference. 
Most progress has been made with the lepidoptera, coleoptera, 
hymenoptera, and hemiptera. The number of drawers used in 
making transfers of lepidoptera alone was 700, and the cards neces- 
sary for locating their contents were also written. With the assist- 
ance of several temporary preparators eight collections, containing 
many thousands of specimens, were mounted and labeled. 
71245°—nat mus 1910——3 
