REPORT ON THE DEPARTMENT OF REPTILES AND BATRACHIANS IN 

 TH^ U. S. NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1888. 



By H. C. Yarrow, M. D., Honorary Curator. 



Owing to the fact thatrepaira were made to tbe west basement of the 

 Smithsonian building in which is situated the room set apart for the 

 curator of the Department of Eeptiles and Batrachians, it was found 

 somewhat difficult to attend properly and promptly to the ordinary 

 routine work of the department 5 still this has been performed as expe- 

 ditiously as was possible under the circumstances. It was found nec- 

 essary to transfer the entire " reserve series " of reptiles to storage 

 rooms provided for the purpose, and this transfer was so carefully done 

 that not a single specimen was injured. 



Since the return of the collection to the room where it belongs, it has 

 been carefully gone over, bottles relabeled if necessary, tilled with fresh 

 alcohol, and put in complete systematic order for reference or study. 



During the repairs the oitice of the curator has been twice moved, 

 comfortable quarters having been assigned him. 



Much credit is due my assistant, Mr. E. S. Rheem, for the careful 

 manner in which he has performed his duties. 



Among the more important contributors during the year, are Dr. 

 J. C. Merrill, Fort Klamath, Oregon ; Charles S. Beachler, Indiana; 

 Lieut. J. F. Moser, U. S. ISTavy; H. D. Hood, Florida; James Bell, 

 Gainesville, Florida; William Taylor, San Diego, Texas; Lieut. H. C. 

 Benson, U. S. Army, FortHuachuca, Arizona; Dr. T. H.Bean, U. S. Fish 

 Commission; W. A. Conklin, Central Park, New York City; George 

 W. Shutt, Hillsborough, Virginia; R.E. Call, Des Moines, Iowa; Capt. 

 W« L. Carpenter, U. S. Army, Fort Apache, Arizona; R. E. C. Stearns, 

 U. S. Geological Survey ; George B. Forrester, New York City, "sup- 

 posed antidote for snake-bite ; " Donald MacRae, Wilmington, North 

 Carolina, "Mad Stone"; Julius Hurter, St. Louis, Missouri; U. S. Fish 

 Commission, Wood's HoU, Massachusetts; Theo. D. A. Cockerell, West 

 Clifi'e, Custer County, Colorado; Edward Bartlett, Maidstone, England; 

 E. H. Park, Orange, Florida; Willis Lewis, Henderson, North Carolina, 

 "supposed antidote for snake-bite; " M. Hamilton, Savannah, Georgia; 

 C. Toppan, Salem, Massachusetts, and Dr. Charles S. Herron, Bartow, 

 Florida, "supposed antidote for snakebite; " Charles R. Ellis, Florida; 



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