^^■^ [December, 



enjoy even a moderate share of that liberality which latterly has been so lavishly 

 bestowed upon the Library, it will become necessary during the ensuing year to 

 decide upon some plan for furnishing additional accommodations for the Books 

 in the adjoining rooms. 



A new printed catalogue of the Library, or an appendix to the last will soon 

 be required. The present catalogue was published in the year 1837, and em- 

 braced, according to the report of the Committee appointed to prepare it, 6890 

 volumes, besides 435 Maps and Charts. The Library has rapidly increased since 

 that date, and at the present time cannot contain less than 10,000 volumes, nraps, 

 charts, &c. An accurate enumeration will, however, be made of the wor-ks 

 contained in each department, and the result submitted in the next annual 

 report. 



Rich as are the collections of works in the Library, on Natural History, Voy- 

 ages and Travels, History, Biography, Antiquities and the Fine Arts, &c., and 

 liberal as have been the recent additions of Dr. Wilson, we are still greatly defi- 

 cient in the transactions of foreign learned societies. In this Institution these 

 publications are of indispensable importance for successfully conducting 

 investigations in the different branches of science. From the gratifying testi- 

 monials which the Academy continually receives of the estimation in which it is 

 held by distinguished societies abroad, we are encouraged to believe, that a more 

 extended correspondence, and offer of interchange of publications with these 

 bodies, would be followed by the desired result, and the deficiencies promptly 

 supplied. 



The design stated in the last annual report of furnishing to the Society a list 

 of miscellaneous works, which it is proposed to reject from the Library, has been 

 unavoidably deferred until next year. The propriety of this measure is generally 

 admitted by the members, the space which these books now occupy being greatly 

 needed for the accommodation of others of more utility. 



There are also duplicates of many natural history works of much value, 

 which might be advantageously exchanged. A list of these will also be prepared 

 and presented to the Society at an early period. 



Wm. S. Zantzinger, 



Librarian. 



Hall of the Academy, December 26t/i, 1848. 



The following Report of the Curators was read by the Chairman, 

 Dr. Leidy, and ordered to be published. 



REPORT 



OFTHECURATORS 



For 1848. 



The impetus given to the progress of the Academy within a few years by the 

 extensive and valuable additions to its museum and library from several of its 

 members, still continues in full vigour. The treasures of nature are constantly 

 being poured into its stores, sister societies observe us with emulation, and our 

 journal is abundantly supplied with original memoirs on subjects of Natural His- 

 tory. 



