. 
the Smithsonian, we have received a fine skeleton of the Great 
Auk, from Funk Islands, admirably mounted by Mr. Lucas, and a 
number of monkeys from Dr. H.J. Bigelow. But by far the most 
valuable accession is the first instalment of the Hume Collection 
of Indian Birds, selected for the Museum, in accordance with 
the request of Mr. Hume, by the officers of the British Museum. 
Professor Flower kindly allowed Dr. Sharp to select from the 
duplicates the set intended for us by Mr. Hume, and this first 
instalment has reached us in excellent condition. 
I should also mention a most excellently preserved collection 
of Insects, mainly Lepidoptera, presented to us by the Messrs. 
Treat of Lawrence, Mass. 
From Professor Ward, we have continued such purchases as 
were needed to fill gaps in our Exhibition Rooms. 
Professors Osborng and Scott have returned to us a large part 
of the fossils sent them for study. Dr. Dobson has returned the 
Shrews sent him for examination; and the bulk of our collec- 
tion of Annelids, a part of which had been sent to the late Pro- 
fessor Kefertein, has been returned to us by Professor Ehlers, 
carefully determined, and forms a most valuable addition to our 
typical collections. The Annelids from the Pourtalés dredgings 
off Florida have also been returned by Professor Ehlers, the 
types of his great work on the “ Florida Annelids.”’ 
As will be seen from the Reports of the Assistants, the condi- 
tion of the collections continues to improve, and a number of gaps 
in our Exhibition Rooms have also been filled. 
I wish that I could also speak of some like progress in the 
arrangement of the Paleontological Exhibition Rooms. The sys- 
tem proposed for the collections is unique, and the result, I have 
no doubt, would be a most interesting addition to the rooms 
open to the public. A sum of at least fifteen thousand dollars 
would be required to complete the arrangement of the four 
rooms devoted to the Paleontological exhibit. At present the 
public can form no estimate of the value of our fossil collections, 
which are as yet barely accessible to the Assistant in charge. 
The Museum is again indebted to Messrs. Brewster, Cabot, 
and Slade, for their interest in their respective departments. 
Messrs. Brooks and Jackson have also rendered valuable aid to 
Professor Hyatt in the arrangement of the Paleontological Col- 
lections. Professor Faxon has kindly continued in charge of our 
