17 



of considerable importance was an entire specimen of a gigantic 

 Edentate, allied to Megatherium, in what appeared to be the Pli- 

 ocene. This specimen we were fortunate enough to dig out, pack, 

 and ship in good shape. Mastodons and elephants were found in 

 various localities. One of the latter had tusks more than six feet 

 two inches in length, and more than nine inches in diameter at 

 eighteen inches from the head. Among the undetermined speci- 

 mens there is a large number of skulls, jaws, and teeth. Thirty- 

 two cases were shipped, and arrangements were made by which 

 others, left on account of haste, are being secured for the Museum, 

 and forwarded as rapidly as possible. 



In the Museum, the main work of the year has been directed 

 toward the improvement of the exhibition and of the condition of 

 the collection in the storage rooms. The systematic collection 

 of Fishes and Selachians has been entirely rearranged. Various 

 Sauria and Batrachia, in addition to those previously reported, 

 have been mounted in alcohol, and, experiment suggesting better 

 methods, it is found expedient from time to time to improve on 

 the results of the first attempts in this direction. Specimens of 

 Piratinga, Platy stoma > Boa, Jacare, and Hatteria have been 

 taken from the alcohol and prepared as skeletons. Some stuffed 

 reptiles of the larger genera have been purchased, and a fine 

 Ptychemys concinna was secured by exchange. The purchases 

 include lots from New Zealand, Australia, and Palestine. One 

 of the most valuable acquisitions is a fine series of Hatteria or 

 Sphenodon. Donations have been received from Prof. S. A. 

 Forbes, Prof. F. W. Putnam, Prof. W. A. Forbes, F. W. Cragin, 

 N. Vickary, F. A. Bell, James Hill, Mr. Rollins, and others. 

 The additions to the collections are distributed as follows : Four 

 species of Selachians, fifty-two of fishes, ten of Batrachians, 

 twenty-three of Ophidians, fifteen of Saurians, and six of Che- 

 lonians. A selection of seventy-seven species of fishes and reptiles 

 was sent to the Boston Society of Natural History, and others to 

 Mr. W. A. Forbes, and the Zoological Society of London. 



