1961-1962 - American Museum of Natural History

ment during the year was an Abyssinian ibex, a gift from Dr. J.
O'Malley and Dr. P. Anderson of Florida. The second specimen
of its kind in the department collections, it is probably
the only example of this rare animal that has been obtained by
any museum in almost 30 years.
DEPARTMENT OF MICROPALEONTOLOGY
Brooks F. Ellis, Chairman
In 1961, the Department of Micropaleontology completed 20
years of service to science and especially to scientists and industries
concerned with oil exploration. A board of advisers,
established to insure close liaison with the oil industry, still
functions, with much benefit to the department and industry.
During the period since its establishment, the department
distributed the "Catalogue of Foraminifera," which it compiles
and publishes, to more than 335 subscribing oil companies, universities,
geologic surveys, and museums throughout the world.
The number of volumes in this reference work was increased
from 30 to 61, and the first sixteen volumes of a companion
study, the "Catalogue of Ostracoda," were published. Thousands
of samples from many parts of the world were studied,
and reports were made on their significance. Laboratories for
the study of living foraminifera were established, and much
progress was made toward an understanding of the ecology and
paleoecology of this group. A depository of types and faunas
was established, and thousands of samples were added to it.
Collections were made by staff members in the Middle East,
Europe, Africa, South America, and in this country.
Three noteworthy developments occurred during the past
year. One was the expansion of the research on living foraminifera,
which made it necessary to build and equip a second microbiological
laboratory. A portion of this expansion included
cytological projects, and the remainder included the beginning
of work on planktonic foraminifera. The latter undertaking
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