1871.] 227 [Annual Report. 



bone, and following it through, all its more important modifi- 

 cations within the class. 



Several alcoholic preparations have also been made. 



A system of mounting upon painted tablets, recommended 

 by Dr. Wyman, has been adopted with admirable results. 

 For white objects like bones, blue is preferred, and the effect 

 is far superior to the funereal appearance of the black tablets 

 previously employed. 



The Committee in their report, thank Mr. Abbott for the 

 gratuitous services which he has so generously rendered. 



EADIATA. 



Mr. Sanborn has cleaned the cases and rearranged the 

 corals and sponges, placing the whole upon black tablets, 

 He also began the labelling of the species, but found that 

 only about twenty per cent, had correct names. It is very 

 important to this collection to secure, if possible, the services 

 of Prof. A. E. Verrill, for the naming and labelling of the 

 species. The gorgoniaB and sponges also should be mounted, 

 so as to be safe from careless handling. Mr. Minot has be- 

 gun the study of classification and anatomy of Echinoids, 

 and the best mode of mounting and displaying this collection 

 is now under consideration. 



INSECTA. 



Mr. Philip S. Sprague, though only employed for tw T o 

 months, has already arranged and placed in trays 160 species 

 of the Curculionidas, 206 species of the Cerambycidaa, and 199 

 species of Chrysomelida?, 51 species of Coccinellidae, 45 spe- 

 cies of Endomychidaa — a total of 671 species. These are 

 New England Coleoptera, and have been placed in the railing 

 cases as part of the collection of N". American Coleoptera, 

 begun and partially completed by Mr. Sanborn and Mr. G. D. 

 Smith. The former generously placed his collection of 

 Coleoptera at the disposal of Mr. Sprague, who has selected 

 many species therefrom to fill blank spaces in the Society's 



