542 PROCEEDINGS OF THE ACADEMY OF [1897. 



arrangement of its collection of books which in both respects 

 compares favorably with those of much older establishments. In 

 liberality of administration the Academy is especially deserving of 

 recognition, as, apart from the fact that under the By-Laws the 

 books must be consulted on the premises, it places on the reader 

 none of the restrictions almost universally met with elsewhere. 



It is increasingly apparent that the growth and arrangement of 

 the library are seriously interfered with by lack of means. If it 

 were not for the care taken to secure the largest possible return from 

 exchange of publications, the other resources at the disposal of the 

 Library Committee would be entirely inadequate, and the opportu- 

 nity for advanced study in the Academy would be materially cur- 

 tailed. This would be now more than ever the cause of serious re- 

 gret, because the library was never so much resorted to by students 

 of kindred institutions as it has been during the past year. Not 

 only for such readers, but more especially for our own workers, it is 

 essential that the latest scientific. literature be placed promptly on 

 our shelves and in such binding as to make it most convenient of 

 access with the least wear and tear. To secure these ends at least 

 double the income now at the disposal of the Library Committee 

 will be required. 



Acknowledgement is again due Mr. Wm, J. Fox for efficient ser- 

 vice in the library, especially during the Librarian's absence in 

 Europe. 



All of which is respectfully submitted. 



Edw t ard J. Nolan, 



Librarian. 



REPORT OF THE CURATORS. 



The past year has been characterized by a greatly increased in- 

 terest on the part of the general public in the Academy's Museum, 

 owing to the better facilities for the exhibition of the collections 

 afforded by the new museum building, the opening of which was 

 recorded in our last report. New cases have been placed on the 

 first and second floors of the new building, and much has been ac- 

 complished in perfecting the arrangement of the various collections. 



The Curators are able to report the specimens at the present time 

 in an excellent state of preservation, although the impossibility of 

 the systematic arrangement and proper display of the collections 



