New Zealand Institute, 62l 



MUSEUM. 



The number of names entered in the Visitors' Book during the year is 

 12,000, but as comparatively few make use of this register, it does not give 

 even an approximate idea of the number of persons who visit the Museum, 

 and it is very desirable that some mechanism should be provided for record- 

 ing, as is done in other similar institutions. The additions to the Museum 

 will be found in the usual report, printed in pamphlet form (Sixteenth 

 Annual Keport, 1880-1). 



Natukaij History Collections. 



The additions to the Natural History collections have not been very 

 extensive, but, nevertheless, comprise some specimens of high scientific 

 interest. 



Mammalia. — ^The most important items under this head are : (1) a very 

 fine skeleton of the killer-whale {Orca pacifica), which was stranded near 

 Wanganui, and secured for the Museum through the kindness of Mr. S. H. 

 Drew; (2) skins of the sea-lion [Otaria Jwokeri), from the Auckland Islands, 

 and a skeleton of the sea-elephant [Morunga elephantina) , collected by Mr. 

 Burton, Taxidermist to the Museum. 



Aves. — Amongst the birds recently added to the collections, and specially 

 worthy of notice, are (1) a very fine capercailzie (Tetrao urogallus), pur- 

 chased by Dr. Hector; (2) a series of gannets (Dysporus serrator), showing 

 the nestling, young in the first year's plumage, and the adult, obtained 

 at Gannet Island, and presented by Captain Fairchild, of the Government 

 steamer "Hinemoa"; (3) specimens of the merganser (Mergus aiistralis), 

 the flightless duck (Nesonetta aiicklandicaj, and a series of shags, collected 

 at the Auckland Islands by Mr. Burton. 



Pisces. — (1) A cask of Australian fishes, received in exchange from the 

 Curator of the Austrahan Museum ; (2) a fine specimen of OpJdsurus serpens 

 from Mahia Lagoon, captured and presented by Mr. J. Cunningham ; (3) 

 a splendid collection, consisting of 205 specimens, illustrative of the Ichthy- 

 ology of North America, presented by the United States National Museum; — 

 have been received and placed in the " stock room" until accommodation 

 can be provided in the Museum. 



Beptilia. — A magnificent collection of North American reptiles, com- 

 prising 50 species and 92 specimens, has been received from the United 

 States National Museum, but, like the fishes, cannot be displayed for want 

 of proper accommodation. 



Invertehrata. — The additions to this section have been somewhat exten- 

 sive, the most noticeable being (1) specimens of Glaucus afitlantictis and G. 

 paoijicus, presented by Captain Eenaut ; (2) a very large specimen of the 



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