1869.] 29 [Annual Eeport. 



Mollusks, and the Curator solicits material for this purpose. 

 The collection lacks all the smaller species, whether from land, 

 sea, or river. 



Nearly five hundred species of Mollusks from various local- 

 ities determined by the late Mr. Cuming, have been pre- 

 sented by the Smithsonian Institution ; a valuable dona- 

 tion of fifty-one species of deep-water Mollusks from our own 

 coast, has been received from Mr. E. R. Mayo, and ninety- 

 seven specimens of thirty-three Florida Mollusks from Mr. 

 R. E. C. Stearns. 



The collection of Radiates has not been greatly increased 

 during the year ; the most important additions are a small 

 collection of starfishes from California, presented by Mr. R. 

 E. C. Stearns, and a series of typical specimens of corals 

 and echinoderms, mostly of species described by the Curator 

 and sent by the Museum of Yale College, in exchange. 



A number of Echini have been borrowed by Mr. Alexan- 

 der Agassiz for monographic work, and the condition of the 

 collection is generally satisfactory. The Echinoderms are all 

 identified and catalogued, although the final labels remain 

 unwritten ; the corals have been mostly identified, and about 

 half catalogued ; the collection would be improved if all 

 the corals were mounted in their natural position, and atten- 

 tion will be given to this point during the year. The Curator 

 begs leave to state that numerous species of Radiates on our 

 own coast, especially among the Hydroids, Ophiurans, and 

 small starfishes still remain unrepresented. 



The specimens in the department of Microscopy are in 

 good condition ; there is much rough material in the Bailey 

 Collection ready at any time to be made use of by those in- 

 terested in diatoms. 



Little has been done to the Palseontological collections ; near- 

 ly all the specimens are still mounted on the old plaster trays, 

 which do not form an agreeable contrast to the new tablets and 



