1872.] 



SENATE— No. 249. 



33 



as they are identified, specimens which are needed are mounted, 

 and intercalated in the permanent collections of the Museum, 

 and those remaining are set aside for exchanges and other kin- 

 dred purposes. 



It should be added that Mr. Bicknell has been engaged at inter- 

 vals on the microscopic forms contained in the Tertiary sands and 

 clays, which have been gradually brought together, as the work 

 on the Museum collections has gone forward. He will continue, 

 as he has leisure, to work up these clays and sands, some of 

 which are very rich in minute Foraminifera, and other organic 

 forms, and promise a rich store of material for the microscopist. 



During the past year the Museum has secured the fossil col- 

 lection of Dr. L. Schultze, illustrative of the Devonian formations 

 of Europe. This addition, which is very full, and perhaps 

 unique as a representation of the European Devonian, brings 

 the Museum collection of this era much nearer completeness, 

 and greatly enhances its value, by furnishing permanent and 

 authentic means for comparison. 



The Museum is indebted to the Darien Expedition for a col- 

 lection of Tertiary Fossils from Central America, made by Dr. 

 G. A. Maack, Geologist and Naturalist of the Expedition, who 

 has been recently engaged upon them with a view to his report. 



The Allegany Expedition, the expenses of which were borne 

 by Professor Shaler and the Museum, has brought in a large 

 number of fossils, principally of the Silurian and Devonian ages. 

 Mr. Shaler passed his vacation in collecting, having gone out 

 with a number of students on a geological excursion, which ex- 

 tended through New York, Pennsylvania, Maryland and Vir- 

 ginia into Kentucky and Tennessee. Mr. A. R. Crandall, who 

 was connected with the expedition, spent about six months in 

 collecting, and is now busily engaged in identifying the speci- 

 mens and bringing the collection into order. 



The following list indicates the addition made to the depart- 

 ment of Palaeontology during the year : — 



Agassiz, Prof. L. Drift specimens from the Valley of the Con- 

 necticut. 



Alleghany Expedition. Sixty (60) boxes of fossils from the 

 States of New York, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, Kentucky 

 and Tennessee. 



5 



