IV.-REPORT UPON THE DEPARTMENT OF MAMMALS OF THE 

 U. S. NATIONAL MUSEUM FOR 1884. 



By Frederick \Y. True, Cwraior. 



IMPORTANT ADDITIONS DURING THE YEAR 1884. 



In number, variety, and importance, the accessions of the past year 

 have been fully equal to those of earlier periods. A few specimens of 

 species previously unknown to science were received, but the chief gain 

 has been in species new to the collections, specimens representing new 

 variations of species acquired in the past years, or serving to extend 

 our knowledge of their geographical range, and specimens suitable to 

 replace those which have become faded and otherwise unsightly through 

 Long service in the exhibition halls. 



In enlarging the exhibition series, much aid has been received from 

 the proprietors of zoological gardens and menageries and from dealers 

 in live animals. The number of species received from these sources 

 during the year was 38, including several rare and peculiar forms. Not 

 leae assistance has been received from the Signal Bureau, the U. S. 

 Life-Saving and Light-House Services, the U. S. Fish Commission, and 

 other bureaus of the Government, the attaches of which are more or less 

 engaged in field-work. The negotiations of the American commissioner 

 to the London Fisheries Exhibition and of the curator of the depart- 

 ment with the authorities of certain. European museums have led to 

 the revival of the system of exchanges, which has always proved bene- 

 ficial. 



In addition, collections of greater or less magnitude have been re- 

 ceived from about fifty private individuals and corporations. The 

 specimens purchased for the New Orleans Exhibition may properly be 

 mentioned in this connection, as they will eventually be incorporated 

 in the collections of the department. (For complete list of accessions 

 see page 138.) 



TERRESTRIAL MAMMALS. 



United States. — Two new species, each representing a new genus, have 

 been added to the mammalian fauna of the United States during the 

 year. The first of these, a muskrat-like form, was described by the cu- 



B. Mis. 33, pt. l> 9 ■" 



