1871.] 229 [Annual fieport. 



prices. A valuable collection of the Ants of Mexico, identi- 

 fied by Mr. Edward Norton, and presented early in the year 

 by Mr. S. H. Scudder, comprising 27 species, represented by 

 86 specimens, has been labelled and placed on exhibition. 

 Numerous specimens illustrative of habits, transformations, 

 and structure, mostly alcoholic, have been added to the collec- 

 tion. The Myriapoda have been revised, and the North 

 American species carefully identified by Mr. Edward Burgess, 

 and 63 jars containing over 300 specimens, representing 45 

 species, are now labelled and on exhibition. The Scorpioni- 

 da3 have also been determined by Mr. Burgess and are nearly 

 ready for the cases. 



The Harris collection has been repeatedly examined during 

 the past year, the transfer of the Heterocerous Lepidoptera 

 to the new cases accomplished, and the orders Diptera and 

 Hymenoptera stored for safety in the recently purchased 

 boxes, awaiting a careful transfer to their proper place in the 

 cabinet. The Neuroptera of this collection, by vote of the 

 Committee and consent of the Custodian, have been en- 

 trusted for comparison and identification to Dr. H. A. Hagen, 

 of Cambridge, this gentleman having kindly offered to un- 

 dertake the task. 



The Committee feel that the plan adopted in the railing 

 cases for the safety of the collection, having stood some four 

 or five years' test, has proved an entire success, and that the 

 new boxes recently procured after the pattern of those used 

 at the Museum of Comparative Zoology at Cambridge, will 

 obviate all danger of future damage from moths or anthreni. 

 They would, however, again suggest that additional accommo- 

 dation for the display of the specimens is required. 



MOLLUSCA. 



Notwithstanding the generous endowment of Miss Pratt, 

 it has been found exceedingly difficult to obtain qualified 

 assistance in this department. Dr. P. P. Carpenter, having 

 been invited to lecture before the Society, his services were 



