Dec. 1847.] 343 



specimens of coal plants from Prof. W. R. Johnson, Green sand fossils of 

 Germany, from Dr. F. Roemer, Silurian fossils of New York from Mr. W. A. 

 Pease, and many others, have been received. Dr. Wilson has also deposited 

 about 10,000 fossils, which are already in progress of arrangement, and 

 which he intends presenting to the Academy so soon as a list can be made out. 

 Mineralogy and Geology The mineralogical collection is at present 

 carefully packed up in boxes, preparatory to its removal to the north-east 

 basement room, now undergoing alteration. We are indebted to the gene- 

 rosity of Mr. R. C. Taylor for a donation during the iast year, of a large col- 

 lection of rocks, comprising several thousand varieties from different parts of 

 North America and the West India Islands. 



Forty specimens of minerals, some of them very beautiful, have been pre- 

 sented by members and others during the past year. 



In the course of the arrangement of the mineralogical collection, which 

 several gentlemen have kindly consented to undertake, we have good reason 

 to believe that large additions will be made from the private cabinets of 

 members interested in this department. 



Physics. The last year Mr. Henry Seybert deposited in the Academy a 

 valuable chemical apparatus for the use of the members, which we hope ere 

 long may prove of essential service to the Institution. 



The great increase and importance of the museum and library of the Aca- 

 demy, have rendered it necessary that both should be under regular daily 

 supervision. The Academy, therefore, has made it the duty of the chairman 

 of the. Curators and Librarian to be present alternately during certain hours 

 daily for this purpose. 



We conclude this report by stating that the greatest good feeling and har- 

 mony prevails among the members of the Society, all of whom desire to 

 promote the interests of this noble Institution and the cause of science in 

 general. 



Joseph Leidy, 

 December 28th, 1847. Chairman of Curators. 



SPECIAL REPORT 



ON THE * 



ORNITHOLOGICAL DEPARTMENT. 



The operations in the Ornithological department of the Academy have been 

 of so highly important, not to say of so extraordinary a character, during the 

 year now about closing, that the undersigned Curator, who has been exclu- 

 sively engaged in that department, hopes he may be allowed to submit a 

 special report, in compliance with a request made by the chairman of the 

 Curators. 



I have the high gratification of reporting, that through the ardent attach- 

 ment to the study of the Natural Sciences, and the great personal enterprize 

 also, of a member of this Society, a collection has been organized, which, as 



