440 
PROCEEDINGS OF THE ACADEMY OF 
[ 1888 . 
in the construction of the locks is urgently needed, and it is recom¬ 
mended that steps looking toward the greater security of the cases 
be immediately taken. The ornithological collections have largely 
profited during the year through the labors of Mr. Witmer Stone, 
who has, amidst other work, very carefully reviewed the extensive 
and intricate family of the Tanagridse, and determined the greater 
number of the species that belong to this group. His work shows 
that the Academy’s representation is a very full one, falling, in point 
of species, but little short of that of the British Museum. A nu¬ 
merical estimate of the entire collection of mounted birds in the 
Academy shows it to comprise somewhat more than 23,000 speci¬ 
mens ; in addition to this there is a collection of some 3000 skins. 
The work of systematically cataloguing this vast collection has 
been begun, but much time must necessarily elapse before such a 
catalogue can be satisfactorily completed. 
The entire museum collection of minerals has been rearranged 
during the year, the specimens of the different mineral species being 
distributed strictly according to geographical position. This meth¬ 
od, it is believed, will largely facilitate comparative study. The 
Wm. S. Vaux collection continues to receive the close and valuable 
superintendence of its special Conservator, Mr. Jacob Binder, through 
whom it has been brought into a condition of rare complete¬ 
ness. A large proportion of the more commanding specimens which 
now distinguish the collection have been obtained through purchase 
•on the special selection and recommendation of the Conservator. 
In most of the other departments of the museum the work has 
been mainly of a general character. Mr. Ives, under the direction of 
the Curator-in-Charge, has very carefully reviewed and redetermined 
the species of Ophiuroidea and Asteroidea, and thereby added very 
materially to the extent of the collection represented. Two new 
species, a Pteraster and a Coronaster, were determined. 
By a resolution of Council of April it was recommended that a 
hand-book of the Museum be prepared by the Curator-in-Charge, in 
•conjunction with the members of the Board of Curators. In 
-conformitv with this recommendation the Curator-in-Charge has de- 
woted much time toward the preparation of such a hand-book, and it 
gives him pleasure to report that the same is now almost finished 
find ready to go to press. It is herewith submitted for approval to 
the Board of Curators. 
The additions to the museum during the year—detailed in the ac¬ 
companying list of donations—have been both abundant and import- 
