10 



division will be found stated in detail in the departmental 

 report. 



The Department of Taxidermy has not been obstructed in the 

 performance of its work as have the others. The removal of the 

 mammals from the lower hall made it requisite that many should 

 receive some attention previous to being stored temporarily, and 

 172 were thus treated. The Indian Rhinoceros (formerly a special 

 attraction in the menagerie of Central Park) is almost ready to 

 be placed on exhibition. 



The total number of groups now on exhibition amounts to forty- 

 two ; of this number two are mammals and forty are birds. The 

 production of these groups has involved an expenditure of nearly 

 $21,000, exclusive of the cases, and it can justly be claimed that 

 no other museum in the world possesses a similar exhibit equal 

 in interest. Two mammal and two bird groups are nearly ready 

 for exhibition. After these four groups and the Bison and Moose 

 groups are finished, the work of the department will be the mount- 

 ing of specimens for the general collection. 



The report of the Entomological Department shows that the 

 greater portion of the year has been devoted to the gathering and 

 preparation of the material for the " Jesup Collection of Economic 

 Entomology," the remainder of the time having been spent in 

 making additions to the Study and Exhibition Collections. Thirty- 

 six groups have been added during the past year, of which 

 number five large and twelve small ones are displayed, while 

 forty-four more are nearly completed, among which are included 

 six collected during 1889. 



The insect groups above referred to are a feature as yet unat- 

 tempted by any other institution, and they have evoked the con- 

 stant praise of visitors. A full description of these groups is 

 appended in the departmental report. Mrs. S. Lowell Elliot has 

 enriched this department by the gift of the fine collection of 

 butterflies, moths, etc., gathered by the late Dr. S. L. Elliot. This 

 collection contains about 6600 specimens of butterflies and moths, 

 and four hundred specimens of wasps, dragonfiies and grass- 

 hoppers. 



The rooms in use for the library have been in a very confused 

 state for a large portion of the year, and are at the present time 



