CORRESPONDENCE 
^ 49 
CORRESPONDENCE 
CENSUS OP PRIVATE MAMMAL COLLECTIONS 
Editor Journal of Mammalogy: 
There is an undeniable scarcity of private mammal collections in this country, 
and it seems to me that the Journal, as well as the active members of the Society, 
should endeavor to increase the interest along this line. For one thing, it is con- 
ceded that the enthusiasm of most earnest workers in zoology was first stimulated 
by starting ‘‘a collection.” Those of us who are not so fortunate as to be located 
near some large museum must, to a great extent, depend upon our private col- 
lections as a basis for any systematic work which we wish to do. If a person 
desires to work on a certain genus or order, it is advisable to secure, by exchange 
or purchase, specimens from different parts of the country, but he will usually 
find it difficult to get in touch with other collectors who are in a position to furnish 
the material desired. 
With these facts in view, I suggest that a census be taken of the private mam- 
mal collections of North America, and a summary of the information gathered 
could then be published in the Journal. If this plan meets with your approval, 
I should be only too willing to act as compiler. The value of such a list depends 
upon its completeness, so everyone with a private collection of mammals, even 
though it be but a small one, should send in full information as to its size, terri- 
tory covered, special interests, et cetera. 
Yours truly, 
268 S. Orange Grove Ave., A. B. Howell, 
Pasadena, California. 
SUBSCRIPTIONS RECEIVED TOWARD THE PUBLICATION OF ‘‘tHE COMPARATIVE 
OSTEOLOGY OP THE PROCYONID^ ” 
Editor Journal of Mammalogy: 
My letter published in Ihe Journal of Mammalogy (Vol. 1, No. 4, August, 1920) 
on the question of raising the funds to publish the above mentioned work needs 
no comment. The amount to be raised will be somewhere between $1000 and 
$1300, and the following sums have been either pledged or sent for the purpose. 
1. The Elizabeth Thompson Fund of Harvard University $200.00 
2. George T. Welch, M.D., Passaic, New Jersey 6.00 
3. H. J. Boldt, M.D., New York City, N. Y 2.00 
4. A. B. Howell, Esqr., Pasadena, California 2.00 
5. Mrs. Anna Botsford Comstock, Ithaca, New York 2.00 
6. E. Gordon Alexander, Esqr., Lexington, Mo. . 2.00 
7. Prof. Glover M. Allen 2.00 
8. E. B. Trescott, Petaluma, Cal 2.00 
9. Prof. Davidson Black, Peking, China 4.00 
10. Dr. H. H. T. Jackson, Washington, D. C 2.00 
Very truly, 
R. W, Shufeldt. 
