28 A NOTICE OF THE 



In February, 1843, Mr. William G. Burke presented, through 

 Mr. Cassin, a collection of parasitic worms, contained in 76 

 phials. 



10. ZOOPHYTES. 



The collection of echinoderms (star fishes and sea eggs) con- 

 sists of 447 dry specimens, and 6 in alcohol. Many of them 

 were presented by Mr. Edward Wilson, during the year 1851. 

 The number of species has not been ascertained. Mr. S. TV. 

 Drinker, Mr. W. Thompson, Messrs. Warnick and Argent, and 

 Dr. Griffith, are among the donors. 



Under this head are placed 9 species of medusse in alcohol ; 

 206 specimens of corallines ; and 83 specimens of sponges ; all of 

 which are placed in the east basement-room. 



The principal donors to this department are Mr. G. Ord, Mr. 

 Maclure, Mr. Say, Mr. T. R. Peale, Dr. Harlan, Mr. Hazard, 

 Mr. Lewis Vanuxem, Dr. Nicholson, and Dr. Anderson. 



11. BOTANY. 



The collection of plants is placed in cases on the north flying 

 gallery, and in a small room, accessible from it, situated at the 

 north-east corner of the principal hall. In the opinion of Dr. 

 Darlington, this herbarium is " one of the richest and most valua- 

 ble in the United States."* 



This collection, which now contains 46,000 species of plants, 

 had its beginning in a small herbarium formed in the environs of 

 Paris, and presented in April, 1812, by Mr. N. S. Parmantier, 

 one of the founders of the Institution. 



This cabinet is indebted principally to Rev. Mr. Schweinitz, 

 and Mr. Nuttall, as well as to Mr. "VYm. Maclure, Mr. Z. Collins, 

 Dr. R. E. Griffith, Dr. Pickering, Mr. James Read, Mr. Durand, 

 Mr. Jos. P. Smith, Mr. S. TV. Conrad, Dr. Carson, Dr. Bridges, 

 Dr. Goddard, Dr. Zantzinger, Professor C. W. Short, Dr. Peter, 

 Mrs. L. TV. Say, Mr. Terry, Mr. J. L. Darlington, of Michigan; 

 Mr. J. M. Greene, Professor C. Dewey, Mr. H. B. Croom, Mr. 

 TYm. Cooper, Mr. Hembel, Mr. Sullivan, and Mr. Gray. 



* Memoir of Wm. Bartram and Humphrey Marshall. 



