REPORT OF THE SECRETARY 33 



was made in the arrangement and cataloguing of the study series, 

 which are described as in excellent condition. 



The research work of the staff has continued unabated and several 

 important manuscripts were brought to a close or nearly finished 

 during the year. A large number of smaller papers were published 

 as a result of the year's work, but the great majority of the published 

 results date further back, partly due to the difficulties in obtaining 

 speedy publication, partly because their preparation extends over a 

 period of years. Some very important systematic works done by 

 scientists not members of the staff, but based on Museum material, 

 were published during the year as Bulletins No. 100, vol. 5, and 

 Nos. 120 and 123. 



Loans of specimens to scientific institutions and individual investi- 

 gators have been made on the usual liberal scale. Duplicates dis- 

 tributed to high schools, colleges, institutions, etc., aggregated 3,545 

 specimens, of which 1,490 consisted of mollusks in 10 prepared sets 

 and 608 fishes in 8 sets. Exchanges to the number of 28^693 were 

 sent out, of which 2,491 were zoological and 26,202 botanical. 



The total number of specimens of animals and plants now in the 

 national collection is estimated to exceed 7,000,000, of which 1,150,000 

 are plants. 



Geology. — Although accessions in the department of geology are 

 smaller in number than in the year previous, a considerable increase 

 in individual specimens and in their scientific value is to be noted. 



The paleontological collection of the late Orestes St. John, consist- 

 ing principally of fossil fishes, many of them types, adds material 

 of incalculable value to the specialist who may take up the study of 

 this group, and Dr. Frank Springer, who made this donation, has 

 earned the thanks of future workers in thus placing it where it will 

 always be available. Another most notable accession is the residu- 

 ary portion of the collection of the late R. D. Lacoe, of Pittston, Pa., 

 presented by his heirs. This is estimated to contain not less than 

 10,000 specimens, mainly fossil plants, with some invertebrates and 

 vertebrates, from many localities in this and foreign countries, and 

 from various geological horizons. Supplementing the collection is 

 Mr. Lacoe's paleontological library comprising, it is estimated, at 

 least 2,000 volumes and an equal number of pamphlets. Mrs. Coon- 

 ley Ward generously donated the residuary portion of the meteorite 

 collection of her husband, the late Prof. H. A. Ward. This is of 

 value not so much in adding new meteorites as in furnishing mate- 

 rial for study and exchange. Thirteen additional accessions of 

 meteorites, mostly new to the collections, are recorded, received 

 chiefly through exchanges. 



