17 



nent typical forms, for purposes of study. These are separated 

 in their several numerous parts to show the articulated structure. 

 The Museum is indebted for this gift to Messrs. F. B. Thurber, 

 of New York, and Thomas Higgins, of Liverpool. 



In view of lack of space in the halls for the suitable exhibition 

 of specimens of the several departments, the collections in alcohol 

 have been arranged and exhibited in the Curator's rooms. During 

 the past year many students and others have had the privilege of 

 visiting the rooms, and it will continue to be a pleasure to the 

 Curator to extend all possible assistance to any desiring to gain 

 acquaintance with the collections. 



ENTOMOLOGY. 



This department has, since July ist, 1886, for its preservation 

 and extension, been under the care of Mr. E. B. Southwick. 



The work of classification, determining, and placing on exhi- 

 bition, has been for the past six months continued to the best 

 advantage of the collection now in possession of the Museum. 



The collection on the first of July, 1886, numbered about 

 twenty-two thousand (22,000) specimens, to which were added 

 by Mr. Southwick five thousand six hundred (5,600) specimens, 

 collected in and about New York City and State, and New Jersey. 



Seven hundred and fifty (750) specimens were presented to 

 the collection, making the addition for the half year six thousand 

 three hundred and fifty (6,350) specimens, making the total 

 number now in possession of the Museum twenty-eight thousand 

 three hundred and fifty (28,350) specimens. 



As a large number are duplicates, these will be utilized for 

 exchanges, and to supply with fresh specimens the exhibition 

 collection. 



The collection of insects now in possession of the Museum 

 embraces many valuable specimens, as types from Osten Sacken, 

 and are invaluable in the determination of many difficult species. 



The arrangement of the orders in the Museum has been accord- 

 ing to A. S. Packard, Jr., and in the Hymenoptera, a portion of 

 the Lepidoptera and Diptera, and nearly all the Coleoptera, the 

 insects are classified, named, and on exhibition. 



The present need of the department is to complete the col- 

 lection of North American insects, and collect and exhibit, as 

 far as is possible, the insects of the Central Park, their manner of 

 living and destructive working, their variations in size and color, 

 all of which will add to the intelligent study, as to the destruction 

 of enemies and preservation of friends. 



As a. large number of insects feed upon trees, shrubs and plants, 

 a collection of these food-plants, together with the life history of 

 each insect would not only be of great value to science, but would 



