154 EEPOET OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1888. 



S. G. Brown and William Palmer, National Museum; W. C Burns, 

 Austin, Texas; John S. Webb, Stanley County, North Carolina; Charles 

 B. Cory, Boston, Massachusetts. The collection made by the latter 

 was sent to Professor Cope, of Philadelphia. 



lu addition to the usual routine work, the Eeptile Department was 

 moved back into its old quarters in the west basement of the Smith- 

 sonian building; all the alcoholic specimens contained in bottles, proba- 

 bly five thousand, were carefully cleaned and refilled, when necessary, 

 with fresh alcohol; the "reserve series" has to a great extent been 

 relabeled, and arranged systematically in the cases prepared for it ; a 

 number of new specimens have also been added. The " reserve series" 

 of Testndinata has been properly attended to and arranged in cases, 

 and the "duplicate" reptiles, contained in tanks, were overhauled, and 

 are all in excellent condition. 



All this extra work necessitated the services of a laborer, who was 

 detailed on requisition, from time to time. It is to be hoped that one 

 will be detailed permanently in this department, as the great increase 

 in work is such that one is greatly needed. 



The following special researches have been carried on : 



Prof. E. D. Cope, of Philadelphia, has continued his studies upon the 

 batrachia, and is now engaged upon the reptiles proper. 



The curator has investigated the subject of crotalus venom, its action 

 upon animals, and a number of experiments were tried with so-called 

 "antidotes" to the venom. A popular account of the experiments, by 

 permission of the Assistant Secretary, was published in " Forest and 

 Stream," New York, May and June, 1888. It is intended to continue 

 these experiments during the fall and winter. 



The present state of the collection is shown in the following state- 

 ment : 



Number of accessions received during the year ending June 30, 1888, 

 43, comprising 122 specimens. Number of entries in reptile catalogue, 

 for the year ending June 30, 1888, 83. 



Specioieus received for year emiiog' June 30, 1886 1, 705 



Specimens receiver! for year ending June 30, 1887 , .'SOS 



Specimens received for year ending June 30, 1888 ...... 122 



Specimens in reserve series 9,631 



Specimens in general series 8, 819 



Exhibition series, selected for, domestic 600 



Exhibition series, selected for, foreign 150 



Not classified, and exotic specimens, properly 6, 134 



Total 27,064 



Last catalogue number in June, 1887 ^ 14, 722 



Last catalogue number in June, 1888 14, 805 



