16 



COMPARATR^E ZO-OLOGY. [June, 



prior to his departure on the Hassler Expedition, together 

 with some others, have been placed in the temporary enclo- 

 sure in the large exhibition room, in order to avoid the 

 defacement of the labels which would occur if stored in the 

 cellar. Here the specimens have been arranged according to 

 their localities ; certain shelves containing the fishes of 

 Europe, others those of Asia, Africa, North and South 

 America. 



The specimens in the glass cases in the exhibition rooms 

 as well as those in the cellar, have been thoroughly examined 

 and fresh alcohol added whenever needed. In this work I 

 have been assisted by Mr. Lockwood. 



Many specimens have been added to the exhibition collec- 

 tion since last year ; hence still more room is needed to 

 properly exhibit them. Among these additions is a series of 

 mounted skeletons received in exchange for certain specimens 

 sent to the Vienna Museum. 



Among the more important donations received at the 

 Museum during the past year may be mentioned a very 

 fine collection of fishes from Nicolas Pike, Esq., U. S. Con- 

 sul at the Mauritius. The collection embraces many rare and 

 several hitherto undescribed species, and is of great value as 

 illustrating the ichthylogical fauna of those islands. 



A large collection of fishes from the rivers of North India, 

 by the Rev. M. M. Carleton, is also very valuable, as the 

 number of species sent furnishes valuable data regarding the 

 geographical distribution of the fishes of the immense river 

 basins of Northern India. Heretofore much difficulty has 

 been experienced in obtaining specimens from this locality 

 in good condition. Owing to the swollen condition of the 

 rivers in that country during the cool season, it is impossible 

 to collect fishes at a time when they would keep best, and in 

 the dry season, when the rivers are low, the temperature of 

 the air is so high that the specimens become softened, and 

 the subsequent shaldng they undergo during the passage is 

 apt to destroy them. Since Mr. Carleton has become aware 

 of this fact he has taken great care to avoid the difficulty, 

 and the specimens received this year have arrived generally 

 in a perfect state of preservation. Mr. Carleton informs me 

 that the Rev. David Herron is, at my request, making a 



