48 TENTH ANNUAL REPORT OP 



the collection of mammals, of which about 2,500 specimens were re- 

 ceived. Much the larger number of these, as might be expected, con- 

 sisted of very small species, as of Arvicola, Sorex, Hesperomys, &c, 

 although many, of the larger kinds, as bears, deer, wolves, foxes, &c, 

 are included. Most of the specimens were preserved entire in alcohol, 

 affording means of anatomical as well as zoological research. About 

 eight hundred skins have been registered as received or prepared in 

 the Institution. The additions to this department have been from all 

 parts of the world, including an interesting collection of English 

 species from Sir W. Jardine. 



One of the most important contributions to the geographical collec- 

 tions of the institution has been the series of mammals of eastern 

 Massachusetts, received from Mr. J . W. P. Jenks, of Middleboro. 

 Large numbers of all the species from about Middleboro have been 

 collected and forwarded by Mr. Jenks, amounting to over eight hun- 

 dred specimens, and with the result of adding several species to those 

 known to inhabit the State. 



Another collection of mammals of nearly equal extent, but of less 

 variety of species, was made in Clarke county, Virginia, at the instance 

 of Dr. Kennerly, by Mr. John A. Kniesley. This also contains some 

 rare species. Others were received from Mr. Bridges, in North Caro- 

 lina. The Kev. M. A. Curtis, of South Carolina, aided by his sons, 

 has also furnished the largest number of mammals, both specimens 

 and species, ever received from the southern States. 



Birds. — Of birds, several thousand specimens have been received ; 

 the most important from the west coast of America. The principal 

 extra limital collections were from the expeditions of Captain King- 

 gold, Captain Rodgers, Commodore Perry, Captain Page, and Lieut. 

 Gilliss. Mr. Naffer presented some very rare species from the Phil- 

 ippine Islands ; and Dr. Tolmie a series of skulls of birds of the 

 Pacific ocean, as penguins, cormorants, &c. 



Reptiles. — Many interesting collections of reptiles have been re- 

 ceived from different portions of North America and Mexico, as well 

 as from other parts of the world. Among the species collected in 

 Japan by Commodore Perry is a specimen of the Plestiodon, supposed 

 by authors to be identical with a North American lizard, (P. quinqui- 

 lineatus.) The collection of types of Mexican species from the Jardin 

 des Plantes has already been referred to. 



Fishes. — The number of fishes received has been less than in pre- 

 vious years, although by no means deficient in interest. Those from 

 west of the Rocky mountains were mostly made by the government 

 expeditions, as also by Lieutenant Trowbridge, Dr. Ayres, Dr. J. F. 

 Hammond, Dr. Cooper, Dr. Suckley, Mr. Cutts, &c. The most im- 

 portant of the eastern were a collection from the Tortugas, made by 

 Lieutenant H. Gr. Wright, U. S. Navy, assisted by Dr. White- 

 hurst, and one from the Maumee river, by Mr. George Clark. Some 

 Cuban fishes were presented by Professor F. Poey, of Havana, and 

 some South American, by Thomas Ptainey, esq., United States consul. 



