72 NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 



The exhibit of Reptiles and Batrachians has received little atten- 

 tion during the year. It consists largely of the handsome Ward 

 casts, a series which it may be well to extend. It is desirable also 

 to display a larger number of species mounted in spirits when these 

 can be prepared and space is available. 



The Fish series exhibited likewise consists largely of Ward casts. 

 It is proposed to eventually remove these from the plaster panels 

 and hang them directly against an appropriate background. Addi- 

 tional casts, if purchased, should therefore be unframed. The matter 

 of supplying fishes mounted in an approved manner to replace our 

 few and superannuated specimens has been taken up with an ex- 

 perienced man. Experiments are also being made with an ad- 

 vanced method of mounting the fishes now very unsatisfactorily dis- 

 played in cylindrical jars. No additions to the fish collection were 

 made during the year. 



The reptiles, batrachians and fishes are card-catalogued. 



The exhibition collection of Invertebrates, with the exception of 

 the Mollusca, needs to be much expanded, as the alcoholic mounts of 

 arthropods, echinoderms, coelenterates and sponges hardly constitute 

 a fair representation of our State fauna. Another season's collect- 

 ing on the coast will help to remedy this. The State series of shells 

 needs to be relab'eled and rearranged according to the new classi- 

 fication of Pilsbry, Simpson and Dall, while the reinstallation of the 

 general exhibit (Gould collection) attempted several years ago re- 

 mains unfinished, there being a gap in the classification with certain 

 families in storage. To complete this will require considerable labor, 

 but as the shell collection is one of the largest and most popular 

 displays it is desirable that it be undertaken soon. 



Progress has been made in the preparation of a Monograph of the 

 Nezv York Mollusca. This field is a broad one and appeals to a 

 considerable body of the scientific public but the plan to bring to- 

 gether the sum of our knowledge of these widespread and interest- 

 ing animals involves laborious and patient work which may not have 

 its fruitage for some years. 



The synoptical collection commenced by the late Dr Paulmier has 

 been withdrawn from exhibition, on account of its fragmentary ap- 

 pearance, until such. time as it can be filled out and prepared for 

 installation in the manner intended by its designer. 



An incomplete card catalogue of invertebrates covers chiefiy, 

 though but partially, material of rather recent acquisition. This is 

 being rapidly extended and expanded. It is hoped that by another 



