98 HISTORICAL SKETCH OF THE 



The Curator of Crustacea reported that the collection had been removed without serious 

 injury. The additions during the year were a few native forms, presented by Mr. W. H. 

 Dall of Medford. The collection contains 122 species of' alcoholic specimens, 198 species 

 of dry specimens. 



The Curator of Oology reported that the original collections of the Society had been 

 increased by the local collections of Mr. Thoreau of Concord and Mr. W. H. Henck of 

 Dedham. The number of specimens belonging to the department was not reported. 



The Curator of Conchology reported considerable donations of shells from Dr. Gould, 

 Dr. Gundlach of Cuba, and Mr. J. M. Barnard, together about 500 species, but made no 

 mention of the number in the cabinet. 



The Curator of Botany reported an immense amount of work done by him in arranging 

 the plants of the collection in the most scientific manner, and in thoroughly protecting 

 them by means of poison from the attacks of insects. There were many packages still 

 unarranged, but which had been carefully examined. A collection of dried plants had 

 been commenced, and the Curator had incorporated his own private specimens with those 

 of the Society. The number of seed vessels and fruits he reported as 230. 



The Curator of Mineralogy reported the safe removal of specimens in his department, 

 and their favorable arrangement for exhibition. He mentions the donation by Dr. Charles 

 T. Jackson of a portion of his private collection which had been for a long time stored in 

 the apartments of the Society. 



The Curator of Microscopy reported the safe deposit of the collection of this depart- 

 ment, embracing the magnificent gift of Prof. Bailey, in the room allotted to it. 



The Curator of Ethnology made a full report upon the collection of this department. It 

 embraced stone implements of the aboriginal inhabitants of New England, collected by 

 the late Mr. Thoreau ; hat, bows, models of paddles and canoes of the Chinnook or mari- 

 time tribes around Puget Sound ; hat, dress, models of canoes, and other articles 

 from Russian America ; pottery from Central America or Peru ; sharks' teeth swords, 

 war implements of the Kinggmill Coral Islands ; articles from the Hawaiian Islands, some 

 of them now unknown on those islands ; stone adzes from the Hervey Islands ; war club 

 from the Samoan Islands ; articles from New Zealand ; clubs, female dress and bark cloth 

 from the Feejee Islands; implements from various other localities; Hindoo idol, African 

 krisses, Egyptian relics, Roman lamp, &c. 



The office of Cabinet Keeper was abolished at this time and that of Custodian created. 

 The duties of this officer were defined as follows : 



The Custodian was to be a pei^on of acknowledged scientific attainments. He was to 

 have general charge of the building and its contents, have free access to the collections at 

 all times, and act in concert with the Curators, to whom he should bear the relation of 

 advisor and assistant. In case of absence or neglect of Curators, he was to act in their 

 stead and perform their duties. He was required to prepare and read at the annual meet- 

 ing a report of the state of the museum, compiled from the special reports of the Curators. 

 He was to keep a Donation Book and record the names of donors, and perform such other 

 duties as might be prescribed by the Council, and mutually agreed upon. 



At the election of officers which followed the reports of the Curators, S. H. Scudder was 

 chosen Recording Secretary, Librarian and Custodian, and A. E. Verrill Curator of Radiata 

 in place of Theodore Lyman who had engaged in the service of the United States. 



