DEPARTMENT OF COMPARATIVE ANATOMY. 211 



This number of cases is practically the same as that given last year. 

 Tbe two cases styled u experimental anatomical " and " alcove " were 

 removed because not immediately useful. 



The present is a somewhat inopportune time for a report upon the 

 additions to the exhibition series, for the reason that the osteological 

 preparators have been largely occupied in roughing out and cleaning 

 material rather than in mounting it for exhibition. Reference to tbe 

 statistics in the report of the osteological preparator will show that a 

 large number of specimens were cleaned daring the year, and the fol- 

 lowing statistics of the number put on exhibition should not, therefore, 

 be taken as representing the entire work of the preparators. During 

 the coming year the proportion of specimens respectively cleaned and 

 mounted will probably be reversed. 



The number of skeletons, skulls, and other pieces placed on exhibi- 

 tion during the year is as follows : 



SKELETONS. 



Mammals 16 



Birds 15 



Reptiles and batrachians 15 



Fishes 12 



Total 58 



SKULLS. 



Mammals 5 



Birds 9 



Total 14 



Morphological series : 



Number of pieces 68 



Domestic animals : 



Skeletons (dogs) 3 



Among the more important mammals added were the skeletons of a 

 tiger, a black-tailed deer, and a piked whale ; skulls of a hippopotamus 

 and killer whale. Among the birds may be mentioned the skeletons of 

 Apteryx australis, Rhea americana and the Crested Auk. The skeleton 

 of a large python is interesting both as representing the larger serpents 

 and as an unusually fine osteological preparation. 



In August the cases were rearranged with reference to the classifica- 

 tion of their contents and with the view of obtaining better circulation 

 aisles. The present grouping (with the cases now in use) is very satis- 

 factory, but has the disadvantage of breaking the long vistas which are 

 preserved elsewhere in the building. If a change be made for the pur- 

 pose of restoring the vistas a number of low, narrow cases of a style 

 not hitherto brought into requisition will be needed. 



New pedestals for the whale skulls and other specimens not under 

 cover were completed in September. They add much to the appearance 

 of the hall. A considerable number of pictures of skeletons and species 

 not in the collections were framed and placed on exhibition during the 

 year, and with the elephant tusks, antlers, and sawfish saws serve to 

 adorn the walls. 



