416 PROCEEDINGS OF THE ACADEMY OF [1887. 



In connection with the work of facilitating study in the several 

 departments of natural history, the Curator-in-Charge desires to 

 call attention to a synoptic collection of minerals, rocks, and fossils, 

 which has been arranged on the main floor as a practical key or 

 guide to geological inquiry and to the various text-books that have 

 been prepared upon the subject. The arrangement of the collection, 

 which is contained in ten table-cases, is approximately as follows : 

 rock-forming minerals, accessory minerals in rocks, ores, rocks proper, 

 rock-structures, distinctive groups of fossils, and the genera of recent 

 shells. It is thought that through a collection of this kind much 

 valuable assistance can be given to the student, to whom the lai-ge 

 general collections of the Academy can be of but little service. 



Sj)ecimens for study have during the year been loaned to Profs. 

 Scott and Osborn, of Princeton, N. J., Prof. R. P. Whitfield, of 

 New York, and Prof. O. C. Marsh, of New Haven. 



In conclusion, the Curator-in-Charge desires to call attention to 

 three pressing wants of the Academy : 1. The absolute need of an 

 extension to the present building, wherein to store the rapidly 

 increasing collections, and to accommodate the material already in 

 possession that can no longer find proper place for exhibition. 

 2. An amphitheatre or lecture-hall suitable for large audiences ; 

 and 3. A museum fund, wherewith to purchase such needed speci- 

 mens for the Museum as do not come in the regular way of donation. 

 It is also earnestly recommended that some provision be made 

 toward permitting access to the Museum on Sundays. It cannot be 

 denied that a large part of the population of our city is debarred 

 from the advantages oflfered by the Academy by reason of the in- 

 stitution being closed on the only day which is free to the artisan, 

 merchant or mechanic. Complaint in this regard is frequently 

 made, and it is much to be wished that the Academy may at an 

 early day meet the generous demand that is made upon it. The 

 additional expense that would be entailed upon the institution 

 through such opening, while beyond the resources available at pres- 

 ent, must necessarily be slight, and it is but fair to assume that such 

 assistance might be obtained as will permit of the project being car- 

 ried into execution. 



Very respectfully, 



Angelo Heilpkin, 



Curator-in- Charge. 

 Joseph Leidy, 



CKn Curators. 



