12 CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES [Pnoc. 4th Ser. 



for proper lighting, heating and ventilation; provision for 

 proper telephone service; type and arrangement of cases for 

 exhibition groups and specimens, and for research collections ; 

 details of arrangement and equipment of lecture room and 

 laboratories ; type of book stacks and furniture for library and 

 offices; and the details of many other matters of pressing 

 importance preliminary to the installation of a museum in a 

 new building and the making of provision for its expected 

 growth. All of this required much time and thought. 



Through the failure of the concrete and brick contractors 

 to comply with the specifications in their contract, it became 

 necessary to stop the construction work temporarily. This 

 was done on July 13, and building operations have not yet^ 

 been resumed. It seemed best to defer further action in the 

 selection of cases, book-stacks, and other furnishings until the 

 present building embarrassment has been overcome. 



Although those matters are at a temporary standstill, the 

 Academy has not been idle. For details concerning the 

 activities of the respective departments of the Museum refer- 

 ence IS made to the formal reports of the curators. It is proper 

 to call attention at this time to some of the special activities 

 which have engaged the attention of the Museum force. 



SPECIAL ACTIVITIES 



1. Early in the spring a proposition was received from 

 Messrs. Miller and Lux to turn over to the Academy, free 

 on board the cars at Buttonwillow, Kern County, Cal, such 

 of the California Valley elk as they might be able to catch 

 from the herd which roams over their Kern County ranch, 

 if the Academy would place them in suitable large Federal, 

 State, and private reservations and parks in the state. 



Realizing that under existing conditions this important 

 species of big game is seriously threatened with extermination, 

 and being desirous of assisting in preserving the species, the 

 Academy accepted the offer. Considerable time and attention 

 were given to the matter during the summer and fall. Com- 

 munications were addressed to the superintendents in control 

 of the Federal and State reservations, and to owners of large 



* January 4, 191S. Since the above was written the building difficulties have been 

 adjusted, construction work has been resumed, and it is now (March 18) believed 

 the building will be ready for occupancy early in July. 



