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Routine Work.
 
The care and preservation of the numerous large collections received by this department during the past year has demanded the almost constant attention of the curator and his assistants, and but little time has been available for original researches and the preparation of specimens for exhibition. Every case of specimens, turned over to the department has been at once unpacked and its contents assorted, classified and catalogued; but the lack of ample storage space has prevented the systematic arrangement of these materials and has greatly interfered with the progress of all work upon the collections. The work of administering upon the marine invertebrates obtained by the Fish Commission has also fallen to this department and has occupied much time. Portions of the general collection have been overhauled from time to time for the purpose of placing specimens