192 REPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1890. 



parent that the clerical force was insufficient to carry on this extra 

 work promptly, aud a clerk was therefore added. Oue osteological 

 preparator was engaged during the year exclusively in cleaning the 

 skulls belonging to this series, but in spite of his best efforts, they ac- 

 cumulated to such an extent that it was necessary at length to greatly 

 increase the force. During June, five men worked upon this material, 

 either as regular preparators of the Museum or by piece- work. 



The lack of regular and continuous clerical assistance during the year 

 has delayed many important operations. Dr. William G. Stimpson, who 

 rendered efficient service for many years as an aid, resigned and was 

 replaced by Mr. P. L. Jouy. Mr. Jouy was unfortunately absent on 

 account of sickness on two occasions for long periods. His place was 

 supplied on the last occasion by a temporary assistant. The copyist 

 also resigned and was replaced at the end of the year by a clerk, who, 

 as already explained, works exclusively upon the material deposited by 

 the Department of Agriculture. 



Orders were sent to Franz Sikora to procure certain mammals of 

 Madagascar, at present wanting in the collection ; to Mr. Charles Hal- 

 lock to procure a "Brush-deer" from Minnesota, and to Mr. N. Comeau 

 to procure a series of Gray Seals in the Gulf of St. Lawrence. None of 

 this material was received during the year. Messrs. W. H. and A. H. 

 Brown were attached to the United States Eclipse Expedition to Angola, 

 Africa, to collect mammals and other animals. The specimens received 

 from this source have been referred to on pp. 102, 103. 



Special instructions for collecting, and fauual lists, were made out for 

 Mr. Perry, who contemplated making certain explorations in Honduras ; 

 for Mr. B. M. Erviug, of Boston, Massachusetts, and for Mr. W. H. 

 Brown. 



A considerable number of specimens were sent out to different insti- 

 tutions and individuals, as follows: 



To be studied : 



To Dr. J. A. Allen, American Museum of Natural History, New York ; 128 skins 



and 58 skulls of chipmunks, genus Tamias. 

 To Dr. Harrison Allen, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania ; 86 skins and alcoholic speci- 

 mens of bats, and 8 skulls of the same. 

 To W. H. Morrow, Wilmington, Delaware; 1 Field-mouse skin. 

 To Mr. E. E. Thompson, Toronto, Canada; 2 skins aud 2 skulls of rodents. 

 In exchange for other specimens : 



To Prof. Robert Collett, Christiania, Norway; 1 skiu and 1 skull of the far-seal. 



Dr. C. H. Merriam has repeatedly examined the series of North 

 American animals, and has withdrawn specimens, from time to time, 

 for study. Dr. E. A. Mearns, U. S. Army, examined the series of prairie- 

 dogs. The curator examined into the characters of certain North 

 American shrews and made notes upon them for Dr. G. E. Dobson, of 

 England. Dr. D. W. Prentiss on two occasions had the use ot some 

 skins of ermines to illustrate his remarks upon changes in the color 

 of hair, 



