1875.] 



SENATE— No. 75. 



17 



that the study of the latter cannot be followed without a 

 continual comparison with the former ; hence the importance 

 of the European collection in the Museum. 



III. Collection of Exotic Diptera. — This collection is as yet 

 very small, and consists in specimens from the East Indies 

 (Rev. M. M. Carletou), from Japan (G. J. Gulick), Brazil 

 (Mrs. Munroe), Australia (H. Edwards). 



Besides the collections already mentioned, the Museum 

 possesses a considerable number of diptera preserved in 

 alcohol. From want of time, I have not been able to examine 

 them in detail. They contain, among others, valuable collec- 

 tions from Zanzibar, by Mr. C. Cooke, and from Cordova, in 

 the Argentine Eepublic, by Mr. W. M. Davis. Unfortunately, 

 diptera preserved in alcohol are spoiled as specimens, and may 

 only occasionally contribute to the knowledge of the geo- 

 graphical distribution of the species. For the same reason, — 

 want of time, — I have not put in order yet, the materials for 

 a biological collection of diptera which the Museum possesses. 



Rejport on the Crustacea^ by Walter Faxon. 



When I took charge of the Crustacea of the Museum, last 

 autumn, part of the alcoholic collection was packed in wooden 

 trays, so as to be hardly accessible. The remainder was in 

 kegs in the cellar, with no assortment beyond localities. The 

 whole is now systematically arranged in the exhibition-room 

 assigned to it, the duplicates being safely stowed in copper 

 cans in the cellar. The large collections made during the voy- 

 age of the " Hassler " have been sorted according to species, but 

 are kept apart from the general collection, for convenience, 

 until the species shall be determined. 



The dry collection — among which are valuable types of 

 Dana and Le Conte — has also been overhauled and removed 

 from its perilous place in the attic to drawers in the articulate- 

 room. 



In order to facilitate the study of the anatomy of the class, 

 I have made and placed on exhibition a series of preparations 



3 



