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inconsiderable labor is involved in giving prompt attention to the official correspondence which at times is quite voluminous, for many letters of enquiry are received from all parts of the world, which to answer require much time, thought and labor. During the year 1883,90 letters have been sent and 100 received. It has long been the desire of the Curator, to have prepared a card catalogue of the entire collection in his care, but up to the present moment, it has been found impossible to spare the time from other and more important duties.

The preparation of a Manual of Herpetology based upon the collection in the National Museum, has been prosecuted as rapidly as circumstances would allow, and the manuscript is now nearly ready for the printer. Nearly all the illustrations of serpents have been carefully prepared by MR.J.L.Ridgway, and others are now in the hands of the artists. No special researches have been made by the Curator and his assistants, apart from those necessary in the preparation of the Manual before mentioned, but material has been furnished DR.S.Weir Mitchell,for his investigation in reptile venoms, to DR.Mason, of Newport R.I. and to Dr. R.W.Shufeldt,U.S.A.

The collection may be said to be at the present time in very good condition as prompt attention is given it whenever needed

Number of specimens on hand at present.
In Reserve Series 8,342.
In General Series 7,918.
In Exhibition Set,(Domestic & Foreign)
600.
150.
Not classified and exotic specimens, probably
5,000.