4 PROCEEDINGS OF THE CALIFORNIA 



Dr. Stout, while our Birds have had the advantage of the super- 

 vision of Mr. F. Gruber, who promises, when cases can be found 

 for them, to complete our series of California species and to make 

 a MSS. catalogue of our collection, which may be published in 

 our Transactions. To all these gentlemen whose labor has been 

 cheerfully given, without stint and without thought of reward, 

 the deepest gratitude of the Academy is due, and I am sure I 

 have the authority of the members to convey thus publicly 

 to them the expression of our truest and most hearty 

 thanks. The donations to our collections have been both 

 numerous and valuable — so numerous as to render it im- 

 possible for me to mention the names of all to whom we are 

 indebted, though I cannot refrain from calling special atten- 

 tion to the many specimens of minerals received from various 

 donors, including a fine set of New Zealand species, from Mr. 

 McDevitt. Professor Eismark, of Christiana, Norway, has also 

 enriched us by a present of European birds, Radiates and Crus- 

 tacea; a tine collection of California woods has been presented by 

 Mr. J. H. Clarke, of Mendocino; and from Dr. Burleigh we have 

 received a valuable series of Alaskan Seals, both young and 

 adult, in skin and in skeleton. Our corresponding member, 

 Capt. J. H. Mortimer, has favored us with a beautiful set of pel- 

 agic Mollusca and Crustacea, including a specimen of the Portu- 

 guese Man-of-War, (Physalia Pelagica), most beautifully pre- 

 pared, an object which, from its extreme delicacy, is rarely 

 preserved, and therefore exceedingly scarce in museums. We 

 have also received from various donors, large additions to our 

 Shells, Radiates and Crustacea, all gifts "having been duly and 

 thankfully acknowledged. I trust that the importance of add- 

 ing to our collection will not be lost sight of by members, 

 and that all objects of interest which may come into their hands 

 may be furnished to us for identification and preservation. As 

 the whole of our treasures are gradually brought from the hid- 

 ing places to which they have been too long consigned, we be- 

 come more conscious of their extent and value, and the classifi- 

 cation of the specimens which is now being proceeded with as 

 rapidly as possible, will enable us to furnish information to those 

 seeking it, and at the same time better display the desired gen- 

 era and species of each department. It becomes, of course, a 

 natural consequence that we should acquire duplicates of many 



