456 [December, 



Further effort might, however, secure many other important acquisitions to the 

 list, which are much needed, and frequently inquired for. 



The necessity for a Library Fund, for binding and incidental expenses is be- 

 coming every year more urgent. For a long period the Society has been unable 

 to make any provision of this kind from the Treasury, in consequence of which 

 large collections of Tracts, Periodicals, and volumes bound in paper, have ac- 

 cumulated, and are with difficulty preserved from loss or injury. 



We have now many hundred such volumes, and certainly not less than 2500 

 Tracts, the binding of which, however plainly and economically done, would 

 require a considerable expenditure. The improved condition of the Treasury of 

 late will perhaps authorise an appropriation to this objectfat present, and when- 

 ever hereafter a surplus fund at the end of each year would admit of it, subject 

 to the approbation of the Treasurer. The attention of the Society to this matter 

 is earnestly requested. 



We hope, however, that the day is not distant, when a permanent Library 

 Fund will be established, not simply for meeting the ordinary expenses of a 

 large Library, but sufficient for a regular annual outlay for new scientific publi- 

 cations. 



Respectfully submitted by Wm. S. Zantzinger, 



Librarian. 



Hall of the Academy of Natural Sciences ^ December 27, 1853. 



The following Report was read by Dr. Leidy : 



REPORT OF THE CURATORS FOR 1853. 



The great increase of the Cabinet of the Academy has rendered an enlarge- 

 rnent of its building absolutely necessary, not only to accommodate new collec- 

 tions which may be received, but also to arrange those already in our possession. 

 The means through which this much desired object has nearly been accomplished, 

 were obtained from members of the Society and liberal citizens of Philadelphia ; 

 and we shall soon have almost double the space previously occupied by the mu- 

 seum. The alterations and enlargement of the building, now in progress of 

 completion, mainly consist of an additional story, the floor of which rests upon 

 the upper gallery of the former hall. The new hall has three ranges of galleries, 

 while the former, in its present condition, has but two. 



The natural history collections are to be removed from the east basement room 

 to the upper halls, and this is to be appropriated to the library, which then will 

 occupy the entire basement of the building, except a room for unpacking, &c., 

 and a small office for the Committee of Publication. 



Another important arrangement to be made is the construction of small 

 rooms for the different committees, which will afford increased facilities in the 

 transaction of business and the arrangement of the museum. Four of these will 

 be made in the upper hall, and three in the lower one. 



During the year just about closing, the donations to the museum, except in one 

 department, that of comparative anatomy, have been unusually small, which, 

 however, in part arises from the approaching completeness of several of its col- 

 lections. The donations in the different classes of natural history are as follows: 



Mammalia. Of this class 32 species have been presented, principally by Dr* 

 Heermann, Dr. Watson, Col. McCall, and Mr. J. Krider. 



Aves. Of mounted specimens of birds, and of bird-skins, there have been re- 

 ceived 107 of 73 species, of which one collection of 23 species of birds of Cali- 

 fornia was presented by Dr. Heermann, and 32 species collected in the western 

 territories were presented by Col. McCall. 



