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arranged in the glazed cases of the room upon the fifth floor as- 

 signed for the use of the Conchological Department, where this 

 very large and valuable collection is now for the first time con- 

 veniently accessible for reference and study. Upon this and the 

 collection of duplicate shells, which has also been transferred 

 from its old quarters, work has been commenced toward putting 

 them in more satisfactory order and condition than were possible 

 until the conchological material could be brought together from 

 distant parts of the building. 



The very extensive collection of alcoholic Mollusca, in the 

 basement, has been overhauled, and a great amount of material, 

 hardened and rendered useless for purposes of dissection through 

 long immersion in alcohol, has been rejected. 



During the year a series of marine, fresh- water, and land shells 

 from Europe has been selected, mounted, and arranged for exhi- 

 bition in the European Faunal Room. Corresponding series 

 from South America and Africa have been selected, and in large 

 part mounted, and will shortly be arranged in the exhibition 

 cases. 



The conchological exchanges effected during the year have 

 been few and unimportant ; but by direction of the Curator 

 suites of shells have been prepared and presented to educational 

 institutions, as follows : — 



1. To the Public High School of Gloucester, Mass., 166 species, 383 

 specimens, of generic types, for use in instruction. 



2. To the Western Normal College of Shenandoah, Page County, 

 Towa, 177 species, to illustrate the more important genera of Mollusks. 



