Annual Report.] 318 [May 4, 



have also been made, and our collections frequently visited 

 by classes from the same establishment; it is greatly to 

 be desired that still closer bonds may unite us to this 

 sister institution, having, in part, at least, a common end — 

 the promotion of popular scientific knowledge. Our doors 

 have been opened at different times to a number of classes 

 frorn other establishments, public and private, and we hope 

 that many more may avail themselves of the cordial invita- 

 tion which we would extend to all. 



There have been about 40,000 visitors to the Museum dur- 

 ing the year. The building has been open to the public 103 

 days, and the number of visitors has averaged 391. The 

 greatest number present on any one day was 781, October 

 23d. These figures are doubtless lower than they should be. 



The department of Mammals and Comparative Anatomy 

 has received from the Smithsonian Institution a stuffed spec- 

 imen of the great antarctic seal collected on the exploring 

 expedition of Commodore Wilkes. A living opossum and a 

 number of its young, sent in the summer by Dr. C. Kollock, 

 of South Carolina, have been mounted in characteristic atti- 

 tudes, and interesting specimens have been received from the 

 Union Street Menagerie, Capt. Bowley and others. The 

 long neglected catalogue has been brought up to the present 

 time, and the new style of label attached to about one hun- 

 dred specimens. 



The mounted Birds have received the most careful at- 

 tention during the year. Every specimen has been taken 

 down, thoroughly examined, cleansed, and where necessary, 

 treated with benzine and other materials ; secure and sim- 

 ple appliances have rendered the doors of the cabinets as 

 nearly air tight as possible ; the *bolts have been repaired ; 

 every crack has been carefully closed, the whole interior 

 repainted, and the ravages of insects so checked that with 

 comparatively little patience and care these pests can be 



