9 



much gratification that the interest manifested by scientific 

 bodies in regard to the Museum is being largely augmented 

 each successive year. 



Thanks are due to the following for courtesies shown in ex- 

 changes : the National Museum, Washington ; Cambridge Mu- 

 seum; Boston Society of Natural History; and Messrs. Wm. 

 Brewster and Charles B. Cory. 



The Library has, like other departments of the Museum, far 

 outgrown its present limits. Its increase for 1889 is 891 bound 

 volumes and 228 pamphlets ; the total acquisitions for the year 

 past being 1119. The total number at present is 12,038 volumes 

 and 5783 pamphlets. Coincident with the completion of the new 

 wing, large and valuable additions will probably be made to this 

 department. 



The increase in the number of visitors during the past year is 

 extremely gratifying. During the Centennial celebration, on 

 Labor Day and Election Day, the number was nearly 8000 each 

 day. The attendance in the evenings is so great as to cause 

 astonishment that such large numbers should avail themselves of 

 the privilege. It is a most popular feature. The number of 

 visitors the past year has been 383,485, an increase over 1888 

 of 196,360. 



Dr. Robert H. Lamborn has placed in the care of the President 

 two hundred dollars to be given to the authors of the three best 

 essays upon the " Propagation of the Dragon Fly." Several 

 carefully-written articles are now in the hands of Prof. Newberry 

 and Dr. McCook for their decision as judges. 



>We are indebted to our friend, Mrs. Stuart, for a contribu- 

 tion of $51367 toward the bird groups during the past year. 

 Several new ones, completed, are awaiting cases ; and many ex- 

 ceptionally interesting groups are in preparation by the Taxider- 

 mic Department, including the Buffalo group ; and the mounting 

 of the large Rhinoceros is well advanced. 



The following-named persons have been elected to honorary 

 membership : Dr. Edgar A. Mearns, U. S. A., and Mr. John J. 

 Crooke as Patrons ; Mrs. Florence Rowland and Prof. James 

 Douglas as Life Members, for their large contributions to the 

 collections. Mr. James Thomson has been constituted a Fellow. 



