70 "■ HISTORICAL SKETCH OF THE 



The Report of the Treasurer was very unsatisfactory, showing an amount due him of 

 $1726, largely arising from the fact that collections from members of the annual 

 assessments had not been made, as they should have been. The Trustees of the Courtis 

 fund held about $400, which would lessen the indebtedness to $1326, and it was thought 

 that $!J00 might be realized from members who owed much more than this, but some of 

 whom had not been called upon for several years. This would still leave an amount due 

 the Treasurer of |436. The Auditing Committee expressed the opinion that much money 

 was lost to the Society by lack of promptness and want of system in collecting, and 

 strongly advised that all the members should be annually called upon during some one 

 month, for their assessments. They suggested too the importance of the utmost econ- 

 omy in expenditure, considering the unsatisfactory financial position of the Society. 



The Librarian's report was more exhilarating, stating as it did, that not less than 1500 

 volumes had been added to the collection during the year. Of these over 1000 had been 

 deposited by the widow of the late Dr. Amos Binney, in accordance with what she 

 believed to be his wish, viz.: for the use of members of the Society and others, who may 

 resort to its library for scientific investigations, and to be subject to the same regulations 

 as are the books of the Society. This collection is very rich in scientific works, and 

 there is scarcely a department of science not represented. 



The Library had also received, as before mentioned, through the bequest of the late 

 Prof. J. W. Bailey, in addition to his valuable microscopical collection, a very valuable 

 library of microscopic and botanical works, numbering in all eighty-four volumes, and 

 one hundred and fifty pamphlets. 



The whole number of books in possession of the Society including those deposited, was 

 stated as follows : 



Bound Vols. Pamphlets and Parts. 

 Belonging to the Society, not including the bequest of Prof. Bailey, 3,000 300 



Bequest of Prof. Bailey, 84 150 



Deposited by "A Republican Institution," 767 



Deposited by Mrs. Bmney, 1012 



Total, 4863 ■ 450 



The Curator of Mineralogy reported his department as indebted to Dr. S. Kneeland, Jr., 

 Mr. N. H. Bishop, Mr. Wm. Haley, and Rev. S. Adams for specimens received from them 

 during the year. 



The Curator of Geology reported the additions to the collection under his charge 

 as few and of little value, compared with those received in previous years. 



The Curator of Entomology, in referring to the destruction in past years of specimens 

 in the collection, stated that there yet remained many uninjured, and entitled to care and 

 attention. These had been subjected to a heat of about 200 degrees, and the drawers 

 containing them had had a constant supply of camphor. 



Specimens of value had been received from Mr. Samuels, collected by him in Califor- 

 nia and one beautiful Neuropterous insect was presented by Mr. Solomon Adams, of Lu- 

 nenburg, found in Winter street, Boston. 



The Curator of Herpetology reported the collection under his charge as in good order, 

 and that some valuable additions had been made to it, principally through the serv- 

 ices of Mr. Samuels in California. From him between two and three hundred speci- 



