PROCEEDINGS. 299 



Rej)tiles 1 



Fishes 8 



Indian Relics 4 



Fossils 23 



Minerals 38 



Insects 7 



Various Invertebrates 22 



REPOET UPON THE DEPARTMENTS OF MAMMALS AND BIRDS. 



By Walter E. Bbyant. Curatob. 



During the past year the number of accessions to the col- 

 lections has not been large, owing mainly to the lack of 

 duplicates for exchange, and from the failure of persons 

 having specimens to remember the museum, under the mis- 

 taken impression that the common forms were not desir- 

 able. It is expected that increased activity in this depart- 

 ment through the coming year will so bring it before the 

 notice of the public that much valuable material will be re- 

 ceived. 



Directions for the proper curing of specimens and their 

 preparation for shipment will soon be issued by the curator 

 and sent to parties willing to assist in collecting in these 

 branches of natural history. 



Upon assuming his office the curator made a thorough 

 investigation of all the specimens contained in these depart- 

 ments, and found them to be in excellent condition, due to 

 the attention previously given them by his collaborator, E. 

 F. Lorquin. 



Five museum cans of the most approved pattern, such as 

 are in use in Eastern museums, have been made to order 

 for the reception of the smaller specimens of mammals and 

 birds, which have been transferred to them. Additional 

 cases are much needed; also chests for the larger skins, 

 which are now deposited temporarily in boxes or wrapped 

 in heavy paper with a quantity of insecticide. 



With the assistance of the janitor, the large case of seals 



