HYATT: RETORT OF THE CURATOR. 
Ill 
Synoptic Collection. 
A large amount of work has been done during the past year in 
this department by the assistant in charge, Miss J. M. Arms, and the 
following is an account in detail of her work. 
Protozoa. The text of the Guide has been enlarged, and figures 
selected to illustrate recently discovered pre-Cambrian Foraminifera 
and Radiolaria. This included some original work upon specimens 
kindly given by G. F. Matthew, Esq., of St. John, New Brunswick. 
Porifera. Specimens of Sycandra showing different stages of 
growth have been selected. 
Actinozoa. A preparation of Fungia with parent stock attached 
has been made, also two young specimens showing the scar and fig¬ 
ures illustrating the development of this genus have been made; also 
preparation of a sea-anemone by Tullberg and Hamaker’s method, 
and the variation in number and position of mesenteries has been 
approximately determined. The text of the Guide on the Actinozoa 
has been revised and enlarged. 
JEchinodermata. A series of sand-dollars illustrating development 
has been added, and also figures and description of specimens illus¬ 
trating the classification of Echinoidea. 
Mollusca. Twenty-five specimens of Pinna have been arranged 
and described to show the effect of the habitat upon the shells. 
Figures illustrating the development of Fissurella have been selected, 
and descriptive notes on the following genera which show stages of 
growth have been prepared : Livona pica (22 specimens), Cypraea 
(G), Oliva reticularis (8), Nerita versicolor (13), Nerita peleronta 
(19, showing variation in color and albinism), Murex (5), Lunatia 
heros (13), Helix (12). The general collection of shells has been 
gone over and several series selected, showing stages of growth in 
Pelecypoda and Gastropoda. Cephalopods have been reexamined 
and about twenty-five specimens selected. The following plates of 
figures have been arranged: Endoceras (2), Diphragmoceras (1), 
Orthoceras (8), Nautilus (4), Bactrites (8), Mimoceras (7), Dero- 
ceras (5), Baculites (10). Among Heteropoda, figures to illustrate 
development of Carinaria and Eolis have been selected; also shells 
of 12 species of Pteropoda, with drawings of the animals. The 
text of the Guide on Cephalopods and Pteropods has been prepared 
Arthropoda.. Claws of lobsters showing deformity, additional 
growth, and the formation of an articulated jaw have been selected. 
A fine Trilobite, Asaphus gigas, has also been added. 
