1912.] NATURAL SCIENCES OF PHILADELPHIA. 555 



efficiently. The services of Mr. Fox especially have enabled me to 

 devote much of my time to preparation for the centenary meeting 

 and to the editing of the volumes commemorative of the celebra- 

 tion. 



Edward J. Nolan, 



Librarian. 



REPORT OF THE CURATORS. 



The fire-proofing of the buildings, through the aid of the Common- 

 wealth of Pennsylvania, has at last been completed. But few 

 appreciate what this means, as our institution is fortunate in 

 possessing the largest natural history library in this country, 

 in addition to the museum, exceedingly rich in the type specimens 

 of so much importance to science. The Entomological Department 

 has been settled in its new quarters, which are said by the workers 

 to fully meet their demands. This department is rapidly advancing 

 along an economic path. The discoveries made in late years of the 

 relationship between disease in animal life and insect life .mean 

 much in the universal battle now being waged against diseases 

 in man, the setiology of which has heretofore been surrounded 

 by mystery. 



The ornithological study collection has been moved back to its 

 permanent quarters, where, the specimens are kept in metal cases 

 out of light and dust, while they are within very convenient reach 

 of our investigators. It will be desirable to still further reduce the 

 exhibit collection of our birds, as the many duplicates can better 

 be preserved in storage cases and yet leave a sufficient number 

 on exhibition to satisfy general educational purposes. The modern 

 methods of mounting birds in their natural surroundings has been 

 greatly extended in the local collection during the last year, and it 

 supplies a good model for the rearrangement and extension of our 

 general collection. 



The Herbarium has been enlarged so that it. will permit a more 

 systematic arrangement of the botanical collections than has been 

 heretofore possible. 



The study collection of mollusks has been thoroughly arranged 

 in the location provided for it two years ago and necessary cases 

 for its expansion have been furnished. Detailed accounts of the 

 work accomplished in these departments will be found in the sub- 

 joined special reports. 



