BARBOUR LISTS MUSEUM GAINS

Servicemen in many parts of the world are adding to the collections of animals, fishes, birds, insects, and reptiles in the Museum of Comparative Zoology, Thomas Barbour '02, Professor of Zoology and Director of the University Museum, revealed yesterday.

One of the most important works of the year has been the completion of the manuscript of "Sharks of the Western North Atlantic," a voluminous work, the credit for which goes to Henry B. Bigelow '01, Professor of Zoology, and William C. Schroeder. Another completed manuscript is the latest in James L. Peters' series, "Birds of the World," Mr. Peters announces that a large collection of birds has been received from the southwest Pacific.

Decrease in Acquisitions

The Department of Mollusks has been the most active department this year, acquiring 6,405 mollusks from North Africa, West Africa, Cuba, and elsewhere. Thousands of insects have also been added to the museum this year from various parts of the hemisphere. The number is, however, considerably below previous years. Other additions include rare reptiles and amphibians.

The museum has depended of late for what acquisitions there are on servicemen mostly, However the collection work of the museum has come almost to a standstill. This has given time for a large amount of housekeeping, cleaning up, and arranging of specimens. The mammal section in particular has been repaired and modernized, and workers have been able to catalogue many specimens previously unlisted.

Professor Barbour announced that at last count the museum library had 86,766 books and 104,605 pamphlets, all of which are extensively used by civilian and service personnel.

Even though not as many acquisitions as usual were made, the museum maintained its leading position, and its collection of starfish, sea urchins, and other echinoderms is now the most extensive in the world. After the war, when the museum is back at full strength and conditions are favorable, great progress in collecting is expected.