17 



prised even marine zoologists, and have proved of exceeding 

 interest to all. 



Several forms of soft corals, gorgonias, etc. — beautiful often 

 in color as well as form — were hitherto known only in warmer 

 waters. The deep sea off our coast has lately been invaded to 

 the depth of between three and four miles. Fishes of most 

 singular form, as well as the lower animals, are among the pro- 

 ducts of the dredge. Several species of the interesting sea ane- 

 mones of the greater depths are among our series. Marvelous 

 forms of crab-like and shrimp-like creatures also. Our hitherto 

 meagre lists of crustaceans and the lower forms, as indigenous 

 to the North Atlantic shores, is largely increased in species, and 

 additional to the previously acquired collections of invertebrate 

 animals in our cabinets, the present new acquisitions will prove 

 eminently serviceable to those who desire to continue the study 

 of them. 



During the year a considerable increase has been made in the 

 collections of reptiles and batrachians, mostly those of our native 

 species. Col. Nicolas Pike, of Brooklyn, has aided materially 

 by adding fresh and typical examples of serpents, turtles and 

 batrachians. A notable example of his work in the interest of 

 our Museum is a series, two species, of our native salamanders, 

 in which is shown the life-history, from the egg to the perfect 

 form ; each day's growth is shown by individuals. A series of 

 adult specimens is also shown in connection, exhibiting the species. 



Several other naturalists have materially contributed to increase 

 the collections of indigenous creatures. Mr. M. S. Crane, of 

 New Jersey, and Mr. Arnold Kurth deserve most honorable 

 mention for their disinterested services in collecting for this 

 department. Being students of zoology, the examples presented 

 by them have the character of Avell-identified and well-prepared 

 objects for study. Mr. Scott, of Arizona, and several friends of 

 the Museum elsewhere — in India, in Canada — have added most 

 acceptable specimens to our cabinets. The Curator has also 

 been enabled to contribute largely to the several branches through 

 personal attention, and it has been a source of gratification that 

 without pecuniary expenditure his departments have exhibited a 

 respectable and continued increase. 



The crowded state of our collections in the exhibition halls 

 entirely excludes those belonging to the Department of Reptiles. 

 The superb series of North American fishes is handsomely exhib- 

 ited in the lower floor, and there are also on exhibition there fine 

 examples of invertebrate forms. 



The entire alcoholic collection, embracing invertebrates and 

 reptiles and fishes, is not exposed to public view ; cases are tem- 

 porarily placed on the upper hallway, and the latter are arranged 

 therein. Special collections of indigenous species of reptiles and 



