28 



Scientific publications, based more or less on parts of the col- 

 lection, are the monographs of Osten-Sacken of the Tabanidse, of 

 the western Diptera of the United States, and the new edition 

 of his catalogue of the Diptera of the United States. Mr. R. 

 McLachlan, London, has used for his admirable monograph of 

 the IVrichoptera of the European Fauna the types of the collec- 

 tion. Several authors in Europe have described and published 

 a number of South American and Himalayan Beetles ; and Mr. 

 Fauvel, Caen, the United States Staphylinidse. 



A paper on the remarkable genus Pteronarcys, containing bio- 

 logical and anatomical details, and several others, are published 

 by the assistant, besides scientific work done for other entomolo- 

 gists : the identification of the Neuroptera from Quebec, Can- 

 ada, for Abbe Provancher ; the family of Gomphina, for Baron 

 Selys Longchamps, &c. 



Miss M. Clark has given as usual her untiring help to keep 

 the collection free of pests, and to spread and label insects. 



The work done by the assistant consists in the systematical 

 collection of an entirely new arrangement of the Lepidoptera 

 of the United States, and of several larger families of Coleop- 

 tera. The most important work done relates to the biological 

 collection. In this the Coleoptera are finished ; occupjdng 

 thirty-nine boxes, about eight hundred species, more or less illus- 

 trated, and covering all families. Some parts are rather promi- 

 nent, from the number of typical specimens. The Diptera are 

 also finished, filling fourteen boxes. Of the Hemiptera and 

 Hymenoptera, several parts are arranged. The collection of 

 Galls, on account of the numerous additions, had to be re- 

 arranged, and is now completed. The Parasites, animal and 

 vegetable, are finished. As we are promised very valuable 

 additions among the Lepidoptera, the arrangement of this order 

 was not continued. A general collection has been placed on 

 exhibition in the Synoptic Room. 



The great care taken to obtain a thoroughly safe insect cabi- 

 net has undoubtedly led many entomologists to deposit their 

 collections permanently in tlie Museum. The conviction that 

 collections are safely cared for here has induced Osten-Sacken 

 to present his collection. Dr. Le Conte to bequeath his collec- 

 tion, Mr. Cliambers to present a collection of Tineina, as well 

 as other entomologists who have promised their collections to 

 the Museum. 



