Report of the President 5 3 



Invertebrates in General. — In developing the exhibits 

 in the Darwin Hall, the habitat groups of marine invertebrates 

 have received special attention, although several new alcoholic 

 preparations and other specimens have been added to the 

 Synoptic Series, while nine models, chiefly of Protozoa, have 

 been completed. The Annulate Group has been temporarily 

 installed in the window of its proper alcove, and great progress 

 has been made in the construction of the Pile Fauna Group 

 and the Tide Pool Group. Properly to represent these com- 

 plex animal associations, with the details of their natural sur- 

 roundings, demands unusual care and skill ; furthermore, the 

 individual models of the animals themselves must be very 

 numerous. For example, the completed models for the Wharf 

 Pile Group comprise fifty colonies of Tubularia, three colonies 

 of Bougainvillea, one hundred and seventy-five models of 

 Hydroides, eight colonies of Amaroicium, twelve of Cynthia and 

 other Ascidians; in addition, large models of Dactylometra and 

 of numerous other forms are partly completed. Again, nearly 

 two score models of worms and molluscs have been required 

 for the Annulate Group. As the preparation room staff has 

 been so engrossed with work for the above exhibits, the 

 special installations illustrating Darwinian principles have been 

 retarded, but their construction will proceed immediately. 



The remainder of the invertebrate study collections has 

 been finally arranged, catalogued and installed in the fireproof 

 cases. The notable accessions in this division are the collec- 

 tions obtained through the work of departmental expeditions. 



As regards scientific work, the important catalogue of 

 Spiders by Dr. Petrunkevitch has been published. Dr. Cramp- 

 ton's book on "The Doctrine of Evolution" has also appeared, 

 and other researches are nearly ready for publication. Mr. 

 Miner has continued his work upon Myriapods, while Professor 

 Treadwell has been engaged in the preparation of reports 

 upon Annulates secured by various expeditions of the Museum 

 and of other institutions. 



Insects. — Marked and gratifying progress has been made 

 in this division during the past year. Through field work in 

 many regions, especially in Jamaica, Dominica, British Guiana, 



