18 



Comparative Osteology has been recognized for the past two 

 years as a part of the regular course in the University. Instruc- 

 tion during the last academic year has been given by means of 

 lectures and laboratory work. In addition to the regular course, 

 a series of advanced lectures was given on the Anthropoid Apes, 

 and also on the Dentition of Vertebrates. These were attended 

 by four special students, who also did laboratory work. One of 

 them, Mr. W. F. Ganong, prepared a thesis for the degree of 

 A. M., the title of his subject being, " On the Relation of the 

 Form of the Skull to the Habits of Life in the Orders of Mam- 

 malia." Two papers upon certain peculiarities presented by the 

 metacarpals of Bison bonasus were published by me in Science, 

 Vol. IX., No. 211, and Vol. IX., No. 223. 



A paper entitled " Certain Vacuities or Deficiencies in the 

 Skulls of Mammals," is in preparation for publication in the 

 Bulletin of the Museum. 



The valuable collection of articulated and disarticulated skel- 

 etons of Mammalia in this department of the Museum presents 

 to scientists and students opportunities for observation and com- 

 parison that need only to be more widely known to be appre- 

 ciated, and I am confident that, in the near future, a still larger 

 number will avail themselves of that which is so liberally offered. 



