214 REPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1890. 



termination by Mr. Bond, and the worst result of the shellac now 

 visible is a slight discoloration of some of the more porous specimens. 

 The alcohol in which the shellac was soaked off was put to a good pur- 

 pose and used for hardening sundry tertiary fossils which needed such 

 an application for their proper preservation, and the general result of 

 this work was very satisfactory. 



A large part of the work of the past season has consisted in the se- 

 gregation of previously labeled and registered material according to its 

 biologic relations and its incorporation with the general collection. 

 Over 1,200 trays containing about 75,000 specimens have been handled 

 in this manner and are now in shape for arrangement in systematic 

 order in the new cases just provided for them. Concurrently with 

 this, a large number of old, dirty, or defective labels have been re- 

 written, specimens put in new or more suitable tubes or trays, or oth- 

 erwise cleaned, revised and re-arranged. 



This work has been conducted under the supervision and direction 

 of Dr. Stearns, and at the same time many of the fine laud-shells of 

 the series presented by the late Dr. Isaac Lea have been arranged and 

 administered upon. A large quantity of fine gravel and bottom stuff, 

 the sittings from deep-water dredgings by the Albatross and other Fish 

 Commission vessels, which is very rich in minute, rare, and singular 

 forms, has been picked over. In this work Miss Beard has rendered 

 excellent assistance. When it is understood that in a gallon of this 

 material more than 1,000 specimens of 250 species have been found, of 

 which fully half were unknown to science, it will be better understood 

 how much of value is comprised in the result of this tedious picking 

 over. This material is perfectly unique, and when studied is certain to 

 add largely to our knowledge. 



By no means an insignificant part of the work of the Department of 

 Mollusks is comprised in the assistance given, through correspondence, 

 to students all over the country. The writer has always regarded the 

 work as one of the most imperative duties. However elementary the 

 question asked, or tedious the furnishing of an answer has been, letters 

 received are, so far as the ability of the force permits, promptly and 

 courteously answered and the writers assisted, whether qualified natur- 

 alists or not, in any matter germane to the work of this department. 

 From a purely selfish standpoint, also, the plan is to be recommended. 

 It not only assists students to become men of science, but it increases 

 the general interest in natural history and the favorable disposition of 

 the public in its relations to science. If the Museum gives out valuable 

 information and expends valuable time in the task, so, also, it frequently 

 receives data of interest and importance, as well as specimens which 

 enrich its collections. Lines of sympathy are established, focusing in 

 the Museum, which extend all over the country, and which, we may be 

 confident, materially aid in the " increase and diffusion of knowledge 

 among men." 



