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It has resulted that such important matters as the preparation of additional labels for the exhibition-series, improvements in the installation and arrangement of specimens, the identifying and assorting of recently-acquired material, revision of catalogues, etc., have received little or no attention.

The department of taxidermy was in a disorganized condition at the beginning of the year, and it was some time before the normal activity was resumed.

The year was, perhaps, exceptional on account of the commencement of preparations for the World's Fair.   It is doubtful whether the usual conditions will return for two or three years to come.

The chief advances during the year were the increase in the number of valuable foreign mammals received, the introduction of new storage-cases for the reserve series of alcoholics and small skins, and the re-organization of the taxidermic force, under the superintendence of the Curator.

Dr. W. L. Abbott supplemented the very valuable collection of East African mammals, mentioned in