70 REPORT OF ASSISTANT SECRETARY. 



worms, microscopical preparations, &c. ; a large portion of the eth- 

 nological collections, the entire herbarium, &c, amounting, in all 

 probability, to 100,000 numbers. 



The series of skins and eggs of North American birds has been 

 entirely rearranged during the year to accommodate the large increase 

 both of the species and the specimens. This has only been done ap- 

 proximately in regard to the mammals, as the additions have been so 

 great, since their first arrangement in 1857, as to require a study of 

 the entire class in order properly to determine their names. 



The corals have all been arranged and fully labelled by Professor 

 J. D. Dana during the year, and now constitute a highly interesting 

 and important feature of the public collection. 



During the year the services of Mr. P. P. Carpenter, the well 

 known conchologist, having been secured, he is now at work upon the 

 arrangement and labelling the shells, the whole labor of which will 

 probably be completed in 1860. The co-operation of all the Ameri- 

 can conchologists, known as original investigators, has also been ob- 

 tained, and the objects of their especial attention submitted to them 

 for determination ; the Unionidce to Mr. Lea, assisted by Dr. B. 

 Foreman; the Helicidce to Mr. Binney; the east- coast shells to Mr. 

 Stimpson; the west-coast to Mr. Carpenter himself; while Dr". Gould 

 has identified the new species of the exploring expedition, and ren- 

 dered aid in- the criticism of the collection generally. Much assist- 

 ance has also been rendered by Mr. J. G. Anthony, Mr. James Lewis, 

 Dr. Newcomb, Mr. Lapham, and other gentlemen, who have made 

 conchology a speciality. 



In the proposed method of arrangement of the shells, the types of 

 descriptions, and a good representative of each species in different 

 ages and varieties, will be cemented to square plates of glass; the se- 

 ries, illustrating geographical distribution, being kept in trays. 



A specimen of each species of North American shell will be ex- 

 hibited on the glass plates in table cases, lined on the bottom with 

 black paper; but of exotic shells there will only be table surface 

 enough for a type of each genus. The other portions of the series 

 will be kept in drawers below the tables. It is also proposed, for the 

 more ready appreciation of points connected with geographical dis- 

 tribution, to keep in separate series the shells of northern China, 

 Japan, and the North Pacific; the boreal shells of the west coast as 

 far south as San Diego; the marine shells from San Diego to Panama; 

 the marine shells of the west coast of South America; the marine shells of 

 the Atlantic coast to Fernandina, Florida; the marine shells of Florida, 

 the West Indies, and the Gulf of Mexico; and the different American 

 land and fresh water species. The shells of the rest of the world, with 

 a few exceptions, will probably be arranged in one systematic series. 



As stated in the last report, a large portion of the collections in 

 charge of the Smithsonian Institution are in the hands of various 

 eminent naturalists for determination. Professor Agassiz and Mr. J. 

 C. Brevoort have different portions of the series of fishes; Mr. Bar- 

 nard, certain Echini; Professor Agassiz, the turtles; Mr. Cassin the 

 South American birds; Mr. Lyman, the Qphiuridce; Mr. Putnam, the 



