8 CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES [Pboc. 4th Ser. 



Washington, D. C, but not as a stranger, he having at one 

 time been a resident of California and having in recent years 

 had official duties on this coast by reason of his connection 

 with the U. S. Bureau of Fisheries in various capacities since 

 1891, and in charge of the Alaska Fisheries Service since 

 1910. He has already rendered valuable service to the Acad- 

 emy and will have an enlarged field of usefulness when the 

 Academy's new building in Golden Gate Park becomes avail- 

 able. 



THE NEW MUSEUM BUILDING 



A year ago it was confidently expected that this new build- 

 ing would be completed before the close of 1914. This has 

 not been realized. It was found during the progress of con- 

 struction that the principal contractors were not using the full 

 amount of cement called for by their contract, that certain un- 

 desirable modifications of the specifications had been orally 

 assented to by the agents of the Academy and that in conse- 

 quence of these circumstances there was some doubt relating 

 to the wisest procedure to remedy the resulting structural de- 

 fects in the building. The complications resulting from this 

 situation have interfered with the progress on the building. 

 The matter is not yet finally adjusted but it is expected that 

 a course of procedure will soon be determined on resulting in 

 proper protection of the Academy's interests.^ 



GENERAL ACTIVITIES 



The work done in the various departments under direction 

 of the curators of these departments will be set forth in the 

 reports of the Director of the Museum and of the curators, 

 and needs no special comment in this report, except to state that 

 the earnest and able work being done is gratifying and deserves 

 the encouragement of this community, of the State, and of 

 the entire Pacific slope. The field in which the Academy is 

 active is large. The Academy is in need of funds for better 

 covering this field and for extending its usefulness. 



It is gratifying, therefore, to be able to give special acknowl- 

 edgment to such donations as the valuable Henry Hemphill 

 collection of shells and the loan of the Fitzhugh Collection of 



^ Since the above was written all these matters have been adjusted, building opera- 

 tions have been resumed, and it is now believed the building will be completed early 

 in July. 



