5 



The collection of Blake Holothurians has been returned by Dr. 

 H. Thdel, who kindly undertook their examination, and he has 

 also sent his Report on them. This is now passing through the 

 press. 



Mr. Dall has also sent back to the Museum the greater part of 

 the Blake Mollusca intrusted to him, and the first part of his Re- 

 port, that on the Pelecypods, has been published in the twelfth vol- 

 ume of the Bulletin. It is accompanied by six excellent plates, 

 due to the pencil of Dr. McConnell. Mr. Dall has also kindly 

 selected a set of the Mollusca for the Smithsonian examination. 



The results of a portion of the Blake Fishes collected in the 

 Gulf of Mexico in 1877-79 have been published by Professor 

 Goode and Dr. Bean in the Museum Bulletin. 



Professor Ehlers, of Gottingen, has also sent the manuscript of 

 his Report on the Florida Annelids. This is now in press, and 

 will form a number of the Memoirs. 



I have myself completed the text of the general Report on the 

 Explorations of the " Blake." This is in type, and only awaits 

 the completion of the illustrations for publication. 



Among other publications well under way I may mention a 

 memoir by Mr. Garman on Sharks and Skates. A part of the 

 material was prepared at various times by Professor L. Agassiz 

 before his death. His notes, drawings, and the preparation made 

 by Professor Wilder, who assisted him during a part of this inves- 

 tigation, have all been incorporated into Mr. Garman's work. 



Among the more valuable accessions of the Museum I mention 

 a small collection of Birds from Mexico purchased from Mr. Toro ; 

 collections of Fishes and Reptiles sent in exchange by the Imperial 

 Academy of St. Petersburg ; a fine set of triassic footprints from 

 New Jersey, presented to the Museum by Mr. John Eyermen ; 

 interesting specimens of modern chalk, so called, from Oahu, sent 

 us by Prof. W. D. Alexander ; a collection of Crustacea, made by 

 the " Albatross," and selected by Prof. Sidney I. Smith, presented 

 by the Smithsonian Institution ; and additional specimens of 

 Huronian Fishes collected by Jay Terrell. 



We have continued to fill gaps in our series of Birds and 

 Mammals through Prof. H. A. Ward, and some interesting skele- 

 tons of whales have been received from him. They have been 

 hung in the main hall adjoining the Atlantic Exhibition Room, of 

 which they form a part. 



