1855.] 449 



Mr. Vaux, on behalf of the Committee appointed January '25th, 1853, 

 to superintend the enlargement of the Hall of the Academy, presented a 

 final report, exhibiting the cost of the improvement, and its satisfactory 

 completion. 



The original estimated cost of the work, $6,500, was increased to 

 $10,500, in consequence of an extension of the plan, and a great ad- 

 vance in the price of labor and materials. During the progress of the 

 work, other alterations and additions, which could not be foreseen 

 or provided for beforehand, were also determined on, at a cost of 

 $1,763 above the contract, making the whole expense $12,263, all 

 which had been received. A final settlement had been made with the 

 contractor during the present month. 



The Librarian read the following Heport : 



REPORT OF THE LIBRARIAN FOR 1855. 



Since the last Annual Meeting, in December, 1854, the additions to the Library 

 consist of 233 volumes, 561 periodicals and serials, 70 pamphlets, and 9 maps, 

 on the following subjects : 



Natural Sciences, - 

 Anatomy and Physiology, - 



Journals, Trans., Memoirs, and Proceed, of Societies "I 

 and Cyclopaedias, - - f 



Physical Science and Chemistry, - 

 Voyages and Travels, - 

 History and Biography, - 

 Antiquities and the Fine Arts, - 

 Miscellaneous, - 

 Maps, 9 



Making a total of 857 additions for 1855. 



These have been derived from the following sources ; 

 Societies, Corporations and Governments 313 ; Members and Correspondents 46 ; 

 Dr. Wilson 410. 



The inconveniences arising from insufficient accommodations for the books, 

 which have been alluded to in previous reports, happily no longer exist. The col- 

 lections which formerly occupied the room on the right of the George street en- 

 trance, have been removed to more appropriate places provided for them in the 

 upper Hall, and this fine apartment has been tastefully fitted up during the past 

 summer, and now forms part of the Library. It communicates directly with the 

 adjoining rooms, comprises an area of about 1400 square feet, has a gallery ex- 

 tending round it, and is furnished with cases which occupy the walls, and which, 

 it is estimated, will accommodate about 10,000 volumes. 



There are now three distinct apartments occupied as a Library, all on the 

 basement floor, well lighted, and comprising togetheran area of upwards of 2400 

 square feet. A new arrangement of the Books has been made, which, it is 

 hoped, will afford increased facilities to those consulting them. The accommo- 

 dations for them are now ample for any ordinary increase for many years. 



A favorable opportunity ha3 been afforded by this re-arrangement, for making 

 another enumeration of volumes possessed by the Society. These have been 

 found to number at this date over 15,000, distributed as follows : 



