exx 



merit has been carried on with good results, and several 

 are in a forward state of arrangement. Catalogues have 

 been commenced and in some of the classes the specimens 

 are as far arranged as the limited supply of case room, jars 

 and alcohol will allow for the present. We are under great 

 obligations to Professor Verrill, of Yale College, for the iden- 

 tification and arrangement of the Polyps, and Acalephs. 

 These classes have been largely increased by the valuable 

 addition of several hundred specimens of East Indian corals, 

 collected and presented by Capt. W. H. A. Putnam. By 

 the kindness of Professor Verrill, and Mr. Alexander Agas- 

 siz, who had previously identified the collection of Echino- 

 derms, we have the specimens belonging to the branch of 

 Radiata so far identified that it is proposed to publish a 

 catalogue of the collection at an early day. We are also 

 indebted to Rev. E. C. Bolles, of Portland, for the identi- 

 fication of many of our native land and fresh water shells. 



It is to be hoped that the work on the collection will not 

 Jong be impeded by the present insufficient supply of cas- 

 es and materials for the proper exhibition of the speci- 

 mens. Much larger accommodations are required for the 

 various departments of the Museum and these cannot be 

 supplied to the extent desired without an addition to the 

 present building by which, at least, three times the present 

 amount of case room can be obtained. Not more than 

 three-fourths of our specimens are now visible to the pub- 

 lic, or of use for study, as many are stowed in kegs and 

 cans in the cellar and in drawers and boxes in the hall. 

 A partial supply of case room could be obtained by the 

 construction of a few railing and table cases in the hall 

 for the Insects, Fossils and Birds' nests and eggs. The 

 cases for the pinned Insects are needed at once, for this 

 valuable collection is being destroyed by its insect ene- 

 mies, and until more room is given to it this destruction 

 cannot be wholly prevented, even by the constant vigilance 

 of the Curator 



As the arrangement of the various classes is perfected 

 large numbers of duplicate specimens are separated, which 

 will be presented to such institutions and individuals as 

 will use them for the advancement of science, in accor- 

 dance with the rule adopted by the Institute regarding 



