NATURAL SCILNCKS OF PHILADELPHIA. 1")1 



Elliott's Birds of North America, and the remainder were disposed of at auc- 

 tion in New York for $100.00. 



I take this opportunity of again calling your attention to the expediency of 

 selling the valuable Fine Art aud literary works now iu the Library. If thia 

 plan be adopted the means at the disposal of the Library Committee for pro- 

 curing books absolutely nesessary to the working members of the Academy 

 will be greatly increased. 



Blank forms, for the use of those wishing to apply for new hooks, have 

 been prepared by order of the Council, and will be ready for use by the 

 beginning of the year. 



All of which is respectfully submitted, 



Edward J. Nolan, Librarian. 



REPORT OF THE CURATORS. 



The Museum of the Academy, in charge of the Curators, is in about the 

 same condition that was indicated in the last annual report. The Concho- 

 logical Section continues actively to arrange in order the large cabinet in its 

 care. Other department remain with but little progress towards arrangement. 



The Cura-ors regret to add that nothing further has been done, during the 

 last year, towards completing the suggested plan of providing a new building 

 for the accommodation of the Academy. 



The Curators take pleasure in stating that the proposition, in their last 

 annual report, to make a small charge of admission to the Museum, with the 

 special view of moderating excessive crowds, having, with the authority of 

 the Academy, been put into effect, has been found to meet all requirements. 

 The charge of ten cents for each person, which was commenced the first of 

 May, is so small as to be an inconvenience to no one really desirous of ex- 

 amining the Museum, while it is sufficient to prevent the crowds, which for- 

 merly were so great an annoyance. At the same time, the income derived 

 from the fees is found to be sufficient to keep the Museum in a proper condi- 

 tion of cleanliness and repair. 



The donations during the year to the different departments of the Museum 

 are as follows : 



Mammals. A mounted specimen of the Grizzly Bear, one of the Fisher, of 

 California, and one of the Howling Monkey, from Honduras, presented by Dr. 

 George Hewston, of San Francisco, Cal. Skin and skeleton of the Sea Lion, 

 (Eumetopias Stelleri) from Cape Arenas, Cal., and several skins of smaller 

 mammals from Alaska, presented by Dr. Geo. Davidson, U. S. Coast Survey. 



Birds. One hundred and fifty bird-skins from the West Indies, b,eii g types 

 of the principal birds of the Antilles ; and nineteen other skins, presented by 

 the Smithsonian Institution. A collection of bird skins from California and 

 Alaska, presented by Dr. Ceorge Davidson. 



Reptiles and Fishes. A small collection of lizards and serpents from near 

 Pensacola and Perdido R., presented by Dr. John M. Kollock. A collection 

 of reptiles and fishes from California and Alaska, presented by Dr. George 

 Davidson. A serpent from Kansas, presented by S. R. Roberts. A Tngono- 

 cephalus half swallowed by Oxyrrhopus plutnbeus, from St. Lucia, W. I., 

 presented by Mrs. Capt. James S. Endicott, of Somer's Point, N. J. A small 

 collection of reptiles, presented by A. C. Craig. 



Mollusks. For donations see Conservator's Report of the Conchological 

 Section. 



Articulates. A. collection of Myriapods from Missouri, presented by Charles 

 Veatch ; of Spiders in alcohol, by A. C. Craig; a Ceutiped, from the Apure 



1870.] 



