492 PROCEEDINGS OF THE ACADEMY OF [1892. 



April 1, 1892, although requested by his fellow-curators to retain 

 it, Professor Heilprin resigned the office of Curator-inCharge, 

 which he had continuously filled during eight years and a half, it 

 is believed, with general approval. 



His colleagues then determined to take care of the Museum as an 

 executive body without compensation. They agreed that the senior 

 of the Boa;'d should be the Director, and that Professor Dixon 

 should be his representative and the executive Curator. 



A careful examination of the premises, which the by-laws place in 

 charge of the Curators, was at ouce begun, and continued through- 

 out the year. Drs. Dixon and Chapman have given much time 

 and labor to rectifying whatever they considered to be in need 

 of correction. 



Professor Heilprin did not take part in the work, because about 

 the time of his resignation, he was fully occupied preparing to lead 

 a party to relieve Mr. R. E. Peary, who under the auspices of the 

 Academy, started last year, suitably equipped and accompanied, on 

 an exploring expedition in Greenland. Both parties safely returned 

 September 24th. Prof Heilprin at once resumed his office of Sec- 

 retary of the Board of Curators, and devoted much time and labor in 

 properly disposing of and arranging the mass of material brought to 

 the Academy by the two expeditions to Greenland. 



The Curators began their work in the cellar. They found some 

 vakiable specimens and much rubbish. It is supposed that, in the 

 course of the decade, those specimens were placed there to remain 

 only till space in the museum for their proper exhibition should be 

 found. 



Rooms in the cellar for the use of the taxidermist, one for the 

 storage of duplicate specimens ready for exchange, and another 

 for spare shelves, lumber, etc., were suitably appropriated. 



Many specimens found astray in library-rooms were properly 

 placed in the museum. A room in the library is in course of pre- 

 paration as the office of the Curators, in which will be aranged all 

 papers, correspondence, etc., pertinent to their duties. 



In the museum were found some specimens misplaced, some in a 

 decaying state and a few quite ruined. Dozens of skulls, which 

 were covered with a destructive growth, were cleaned and sterilized. 



The skilful taxidermist of the Academy, Mr. D. N. McCadden, 

 has remounted all the mammals, and repaired several valuable 



