14 MUSEUM OF COMPARATIVE ZOOLOGY. [May, 



5,376 specimens, making the entire number now on exhibition 

 28,667 tablets, and 73,125 specimens. This falls somewhat 

 short of our expectations, but it was all that could be done by 

 one assistant only, who was able to devote to it but a portion of 

 her time, and that during only about three-fourths of the year. 



My own time, meanwhile, has been taken up with other 

 duties, among which may be mentioned our exchanges, with the 

 correspondence necessary to carry them on successfully, the 

 identification and labelling of species, and the entire re-arrange- 

 ment of all our collection of Mollusks. At the commencement 

 of the year it was under the old Lamarckian classification and 

 arrangement, which has since been changed to the newer 

 method of H. and A. Adams. This has been an important step 

 forward in the right direction, although it cannot be considered 

 as by any means a finality, since many errors and deficiencies 

 can readily be perceived, which time and patience will enable 

 us to amend ; while with all its short-comings, this is neverthe- 

 less a real improvement. While making these radical changes, 

 the plan of cataloguing each species under its ascertained genus 

 has been steadily pursued, and we are thus progressing towards 

 a complete catalogue of all our Mollusks, a consummation most 

 devoutly to be wished, and which now bids fair soon to be 

 realized. 



Over 6,500 species of shells have been arranged and regis- 

 tered within the past six months, being nearly two- thirds of our 

 whole collection. The main work in this line to be done in- 

 cludes some very large and important Lamarckian genera, such 

 as the Helices, the Unios, and other Naiades, and the Mela- 

 niadas, all of which have been registered under the old genera. 

 The progress thus far made is truly gratifying in its main fea- 

 tures, although revealing many great deficiencies which it is to 

 be hoped may, before the next report, be supplied. It may be 

 remarked, also, that much remains to be done in the way of 

 identification, our means to that end being still inadequate ; 

 but what could be done has been done, and no species has been 

 registered without being carefully and thoroughly examined. 

 When the Museum funds will admit of a little outlay for a few 

 very essential books on conchology, we may expect a better 

 knowledge of all our species, and a more satisfactory statement 

 on our Museum catalogue. 



