191 [{Cope. 
Remarks on Hyrti’s Collection. 
(Read before the American Philosophical Society.) 
Prof. Cope stated that this collection embraced 800 skeletons, each 
with the branchial apparatus mounted separately. A large proportion 
of the specimens measured two feet long and upwards. The Selachians 
were not very numerous. Among them was to be noted a saw-fish from 
the South Pacific Ocean. The Dipnoi were represented by two perfect 
specimens of the Protopterus annectens from Central Africa. The Cros- 
sopterygians were present in five specimens of Polypteri—some from 
Central, others from West Africa. Of Ganoidsa fine series of Lepidosteus, 
Sturgeons, Spatularia and Amita. 
The series of Nile fishes was probably the fost. in existence. The 
Mormyride were especially complete and represented by large specimens. 
There were two of Gymnarchus niloticus, each three feet in length. Many 
of the specimens were obtained at Chartum, in Nubia, others came from 
Gondokoro on the White Nile between lats. 4° and 5° N. 
The Australian fauna was well represented. From it might be selected 
the genera Schwettea, Neosilurus, Gadopsis and Parapistus. Numerous 
species from Samarang, Singapore and Polynesia were included, and the 
Osteoglossum formosum from Borneo required especial mention. The 
ichthyology of Hindostan was well represented. The Mediterranean 
series was very complete. Among them was to be noted a specimen of 
the rare Ruvettus speciosus, three feet in length, one of Trachypterus liop- 
lerus still larger and an Alepocephalus rostratus. From the Canary Islands 
were some uncommon varieties, as Veséarchus nasutus and Centrolophus 
ovalis. 
The North American series was good, especially the Catostomide. 
There were numerous West Indian species, and a good representation 
of South American; chiefly from Chili, Puerto Cabello, Rio and the tribu- 
taries of the Amazon and Essiquibo. The latter were mostly from Nat- 
terer’s collections, and embraced many forms of Siluroids, Characins and 
Chromids. 
The specimens were prepared by Prof. Hyrtl himself, which was an 
unequalled guarantee of their completeness in all respects, to the most 
minute. The preparation of the supplementary ribs of the Clupeidm 
(herring) was to be noted as an especially difficult task which had been 
successfully accomplished. The collection appears to have been com- 
menced by Prof. Hyrtl not later than in 1850, and had been an object of 
interest to ichthyologists and anatomists for several years. It was prob- 
ably the most valuable collection for study in this department in exist- 
ence, and Prof. Cope thought it cause of satisfaction that it had arrived 
safely in the United States.* 
* The liberality of Cope Brothers in transporting it free of charge from Liverpool to 
Philadelphia was acknowledged. 
