148 REPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1887. 



tion. Thousands of specimens have been poisoned and mounted on the 

 regular herbarium paper and put in the commodious cases provided for 

 them. They have been arranged according to the latest and best sys- 

 tem of classification, and the compartments in which they are placed 

 have also been labeled so that the contents of each is shown at a glance. 

 There are now over 17,000 species arranged in the cases and ready for 

 reference and study. The species index is kept up, and will continue 

 to be made an important feature. The duplicates, of which there are 

 probably from 8,000 to 10,000 specimens, representing about 4,000 spe- 

 cies, have been arranged alphabetically and put away in the old herba- 

 rium cases. By this arrangement everything in hand can be readily 

 found, and we are thus in position to begin exchanging with other her- 

 baria, a matter that will receive early attention. 



The new herbarium cases, four in number, were received during the 

 month of December, and the entire collection expanded and placed in 

 them. There is now probably ample spare room to accommodate the 

 growth of several years. 



No exhibition or study series has as yet been attempted; but it is 

 hoped that something of the kind may soon be undertaken, as there is 

 undoubtedly a great field for popular instruction open in this direction. 



The active technical work has been confined mainly to the determi- 

 nation of such collections as have come unnamed to the Museum, or 

 such specimens as have been sent in by the various correspondents of 

 the Institution or Museum with the special request to have them iden- 

 tified. A little work has also been done on the collections of cultivated 

 plants made about the District. Lack of books of reference and suit- 

 able material for comparison makes this work difficult. It will, how- 

 ever, be undertaken shortly in a more thorough manner, and then more 

 satisfactory results may be looked for. 



The following tabular statement shows the present condition of the 

 collection : 



Number of species in herbarium June 30, 1886 15, 538 



Number of species added during the year 1 , 709 



Number of species in herbarium June 30, 1887 17, 247 



Number of duplicate species June 30, 1887 (estimated) 4, 000 



Number of duplicate specimens June 30, 1^87 (estimated) 10, 000 



