Fourteenth Annual Report. 515 



Mammalia. — Amongst the animals recently added to the collection, and 

 specially worthy of notice are : (1) two skins of the Tasmanian devil 

 (Diabolus ursinus), presented by Mr. J. B. Poynter, of Poverty Bay ; per 

 Hon. G. Eandall Johnson, M.L.O., two hedgehogs (Erinaceus euroimus), one 

 sable (Marter sibellina), one ermine (Mustela), one beautiful specimen of the 

 platypus (Platypus anatinus). 



Pisces. — The most noticeable addition to this department is a col- 

 lection of 161 specimens, illustrative of the Ichthyology of the Pacific 

 Coast of North America, presented by the United States National 

 Museum. 



Aves. — The acquisitions in this section, though not very numerous, are 

 nevertheless of a very interesting character. The chief items are: (1) 

 several specimens of Pudlus affinis and allied species from Mr. A. Hamilton, 

 of Napier ; (2) an Australian roller (Eurystomus australis) shot at Akamotu 

 and presented by Mr. A. Beid ; (3) a fine peacock presented by Mrs. 

 Borlase ; (4) a pure albino peacock, by Mr. Harding of Napier ; (5) a mag- 

 nificent specimen of the bird of paradise (Paradisca raggiana), by Dr. 

 Bennet of Sydney ; (6) two bustards (Otis tarda) by Mr. Banbury of 

 London ; (7) twenty-six skins, New Zealand and foreign, purchased by the 

 Director. 



New Zealand birds have been presented to Dr. Finsch, of Bremen ; Mr. 

 Hague, of London ; and Dr. Buller, Wellington. A collection of thirty-two 

 eggs was sent to Mr. A. Gillies, of Dunedin, as an exchange. 



Beptilia. — Only a few New Zealand species have been added to this 

 branch, but a collection of the forms indigenous to this colony has been 

 sent to the Bremen Museum. 



Invertebrata. — A collection of coloured corals, presented by Mr. H. E. 

 Liardet, and a very fine collection of New Zealand sponges, presented by 

 Mr. J. A. Smith of Napier, are the chief items under this heading. The 

 sponges, however, are very important, as the quality leaves but little doubt 

 that New Zealand may yet be able to produce sponges suitable for the 

 market. 



Ethnological. 



Very large collections have been received under this head. Amongst 

 the articles more especially worthy of notice are — (1) two Japanese shrines, 

 500 years old, from the Temple of Kamakura, presented by Mr. H. S. 

 Tiffen, of Napier; (2) a large collection of weapons, domestic utensils, etc., 

 illustrative of the ethnology of New Guinea and neighbouring islands, 

 received in exchange from Mr. H. H. Bomilly, Deputy Commissioner of the 

 Pacific ; (3) casts of Maori implements, in exchange from the Canterbury 

 Museum ; (4) a cast of the celebrated Borotangi, the figure of a bird carved 



