Report of the Curator. \\ 



put in a suitable plac(3, and in proper relation to eacli other, 

 they Avoukl not only be more impressive as a collection, but 

 would aftbrd much better means of examination and study. 



A large accession to tlie Conchological Department has been 

 received from Mr. P. P. Carpenter, through th(i Smithsonian 

 Institution, The museum has long been without an inch of 

 space under glass for such collections. The Gould collection is 

 alread}' too much croAvded, and there are as many shells shut up 

 in drawers as there are on exhibition. I can only repeat here 

 what I said two years since : "I have heretofore called your 

 attention to the large number of shells from the Smithsonian 

 Institution and other sources still remaining in drawers. We 

 are unable, at the present time, or even with any prospective 

 arrangement in the room allotted to this department, to find 

 space for arranging them beneath glass, or in any way that they 

 may be seen by visitors." 



Some addition has been made to the collection of Corals since 

 my last report, and two beautiful specimens of branching 

 sponges have been added to that department. (See list of 

 additions.) 



We have obtained from Dr. Nelson, of Berea, Ohio, in 

 exchange for reports on the State Cabinet, a valuable collec- 

 tion of Ecliinoderms from the northeast coast. A list of these, 

 embracing one hundred and three sj)ecimens, and thirteen 

 species, will be found under the head of additions to the 

 cabinet. 



The alcoholic specimens of fishes and reptiles, noticed in the 

 list of last year, have been properly cared for and arranged with 

 the other similar collections. 



The skeleton of a Moose, procured several years ago, has been 

 mounted and placed in position by Mr. G. K. Gilbert. I reported 

 last year progress in mounting skeletons of the mammals of the 

 State. I am able to report four skeletons mounted, and some 

 twenty others in various stages of preparation. The latter have 

 been cared for as well as practicable since Mr. Kislingbury left 

 the work. 



In regard to the Historical and Antiquarian collections, I 

 would repeat what I said last year. With increasing collections, 

 we have no additional room in which to arrange the specimens, 



