REPORT OF A.8SI8TAN I DIREC rOB. 



11 



The indication is (hat the ventilation is imperfect, not only during 

 the lee; mc, but in th*» .Mnsciun generally, the permanent air showing 

 a1 all times of examination too great an excess of OOj over thai out of 



doors. 



March io, L884. 



I 



L5. THE WOK'K OF THE MUSEUM PREPARATORS. 



A number of additional preparators have been employed during the 



vcar, for special work upon the collections for the New Oilcans Exposi- 

 tion, and an nnnsnal quantity of objects for the exhibition series have 

 been completed during the year in the workshops, as is shown in the 



review of the operations of the scientific departments. 



(<() Taxidermists. 



The main workshop, which is devoted chiefly to work upon the mam- 

 mals, is under the direct inn of Mr. William T. Hornaday, chief taxider- 

 mist, and the general excellence of its work testifies to the efficiency of 

 its stall'. The preparation of the exhibit for the New Orleans Exposi- 

 tion added considerably to its work, and during the summer 83 speci- 

 mens, representing 78 species, were mounted specially for the exposil ion. 



During the year Mr. Hornaday and his assistants mounted 114 speci- 

 mens, representing 91 species, and classified as follows: 





Orders. 



Specimens. 



Species. 







7 



17 



1 



33 



1 



5 



38 



8 



C 



7 





10 





1 





28 





1 





5 





27 



Edentata 



4 













Total 



114 



91 







In addition to the work already specified, the skins of 57 mammals 

 were removed and preserved. A collection of Australian fishes, con- 

 sisting of 60 specimens, was repaired and repainted. Twelve fur-seals 

 were repaired, and 24 large mammals were mounted on new pedestals. 

 The large sen] group, which had been sent to the Fisheries Exhibition 

 in London in L883, was reconstructed, ami the collection of Ungulates 

 renovated. Twenty-one specimens of birds, fishes, &c., were mounted, 

 and two groups of small mammals made and setup. 



\\\ an omission in the records of last year the Museum failed to make 

 acknowledgment to Mr. Hornaday for his gift of a mounted setter, 

 valued at |250, and to certain members of the Society of American 

 Taxidermists for some 25 objects presented to the National Museum. 



