1887-1888 - American Museum of Natural History

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prised even marine zoblogists, and have proved of exceeding
interest to all.
Several forms of soft corals, gorgonias, etc.-beautiful often
in color as well as form-were hitherto known only in warmer
waters. The deep sea off our coast has lately been invaded to
the depth of between three and four miles. Fishes of most
singular form, as well as the lower animals, are among the products
of the dredge. Several species of the interesting sea anemones
of the greater depths are among our series. Marvelous
forms of crab-like and shrimp-like creatures also. Our hitherto
meagre lists of crustaceans and the lower forms, as indigenous
to the North Atlantic shores, is largely increased in species, and
additional to the previously acquired collections of invertebrate
animals in our cabinets, the present new acquisiti6ns will prove
eminently serviceable to those who desire to continue the study
of them.
During the year a considerable increase has been made in the
collections of reptiles and batrachians, mostly those of our native
species. Col. Nicolas Pike, of Brooklyn, has aided materially
by adding fresh and typical examples of serpents, turtles and
batrachians. A notable example of his work in the interest of
our Museum is a series, two species, of our native salamanders,
in which is shown the life-history, from the egg to the perfect
form; each day's growth is shown by individuals. A series of
adult specimens is also shown in connection, exhibiting the species.
Several other naturalists have materially contributed to increase
the collections of indigenous creatures. Mr. M. S. Crane, of
New Jersey, and Mr. Arnold Kurth deserve most honorabie
mention for their disinterested services in collecting for this
department. Being students of zooilogy, the examples presented
by them have the character of well-identified and well-prepared
objects for study. Mr. Scott, of Arizona, and several friends of
the Museum elsewhere-in India, in Canada-have added most
acceptable specimens to our cabinets. The Curator has also
been enabled to contribute largely to the several branches through
personal attention, and it has been a source of gratification that
without pecuniary expenditure- his departments have exhibited a
respectable and continued increase.
The crowded state of our collections in the exhibition halls
entirely excludes those belonging to the Department of Reptiles.
The superb series of North American fishes is handsomely exhibited
in the lower floor, and there are also on exhibition there fine
examples of invertebrate forms.
The entire alcoholic collection, embracing invertebrates and
reptiles and fishes, is not exposed to public view; cases are temporarily
placed on the upper hallway, and the latter are arranged
therein. Special collections of indigenous species of reptiles and