20 



COMPARATIVE ZOOLOGY. 



[Jan. 



is prevented, the alcohol is brought in contact with the fishes 

 from all sides, and the scales, fin-rays, and other delicate parts 

 are protected. The disappointment to both sender and 

 receiver is so great, when specimens, carefully collected, often 

 at great expense, are destroyed from the lack of the above 

 simple directions, that I do not hesitate to impress on all col- 

 lectors the great importance of following them, when making 

 up their future contributions to the Museum. 



The large collection of Selachians has continued to be in 

 charge of Mr. Garman during the past year, and his report 

 will show what has been done in that group. I can only 

 mention that the collection is well cared for, arranged in part 

 in jars and in part in copper cans and large tanks, and that the 

 specimens have been identified and catalogued by Mr. Garman 

 during the few past years. 



Mr. Garman has, during the year, also changed the alcohol 

 in many of the large jars in the upper fish-room, and for this 

 purpose about two hundred and seventy gallons of alcohol 

 were required. 



In regard to the portion of the collection still remaining in 

 bulk in copper cans and large jars in the fish-room in the 

 basement, nothing has been done during the year, and it will 

 be part of the work for this winter to examine its condition 

 and separate the specimens as far as practicable, in order to 

 complete the systematic arrangement of the class. 



In closing this Report, I beg leave to express my gratifica- 

 tion in regard to the general good condition of what I believe 

 to be the largest and most important collection of fishes in 

 existence, to the charge of which I have the pleasure of 

 returning after an absence of twelve years. 



Cambridge, November 23, 1876. 



