EKBPOBT OF DEPABTMENT OP mammals. 133 



from the ceiling. Tlie Large wall case of the oortb side of the same 

 range was completed early in tin- year and filled with such specimens 

 as were ready. A considerable Dumber of .skeletons of the la 

 ruminants proved too Large to U* accommodated in this case, and 

 therefore placed temporarily upon the tope of certain of the table-cases. 

 At the same time a Large terraced base was planned for the south side 



Of the range which should ultimately receive them. This Stand has 



been very recently completed, and will be occupied early in L885. 



Almost no changes have taken place in the hall devoted to mounted 

 mammal 8, except the return of certain seals exhibited at the London 

 Fisheries Exhibition in L883,and the removal of others intended for the 



New Orleans Exhibition. The cast of the ziphioid whale captured on 

 the coast of New Jersey in 1883 h;is been completed, and is suspended 

 from the ceiling on the east side of the hall. The exhibition series has 



been several times carefully examined to preserve it against destruction 



by insects. 



WORK UPON THE STUDY SERIES. 



The study >eries both of skins and bones have also been carefully 

 examined to the same end. The collection of alcoholic bats was iden- 

 tified throughout 



This small amount of progress is not at all commensurate with the 

 desires of the curator, but it was impracticable to do more under the 

 circumstances. 



The curator has received no extra assistance in the office during the 

 year. Mr. W. G. Stimpson has acted at once in the capacity of general 

 assistant, copyist, and messenger, performing these multiform duties 

 very faithfully and satisfactorily. The force of taxidermists and osteo- 

 logical preparators was decidedly increased, the former in connection 

 with the New Orleans Exhibition, as will be presently noted. Mr. 

 Ilornaday and Mr. Lucas remain in charge of this work as heretofore, 

 under the direction of the curator. More or less work has been done 

 for the department, as in former years, by Messrs. Joseph and William 

 Palmer. 



During the absence of the Assistant Director in the summer, the cura- 

 tor was called upon to act in his stead. He has not been relieved of 

 the care of the library, which occupies much time. 



THE NEW ORLEANS EXPOSITION. 



Even before money had been appropriated for this exposition, plans 

 ior a display of the mammalia were under discussion. These were at 

 first of a very comprehensive character. It was intended that the en- 

 tire existing mammalian fauna of North America from the Isthmus of 

 Panama northward should be exhibited species by speciea, and both by 

 skins or casts and skeletons, and that some of the more importaE 

 tinct fauna should be restored. This plan necessarily Buffered much 



