Record. cxxvii 



Dr. W. C. G. Kirchner: — Seven pamphlets on fossil 

 botany. 



Dr. Edward S. Morse, Director of the Peabody Museum in 

 Salem, Mass. — A pamphlet entitled " A short Description 

 of Fossil Remains found in the State of Missouri", by Albert 

 Koch. Published in St. Louis in 1840. 



Dr. Enno Sander: — Medical pamphlets and journals. 



During the year the usual volumes were bound at a cost of 

 $48.85. Besides this, $250.00 of the legacy of Mr. M. L. 

 Gray were set aside by the Council for binding some of the 

 older and more valuable sets of publications. Accordingly 

 341 volumes were bound for $254.45. 



It is hoped that the Council will see its way clear to make 

 a similar appropriation for the year 1907, as the only way to 

 properly preserve books not only on the shelves but in hand- 

 ling is to have them bound. If some of our valuable series 



o 



are to be saved to future generations, they must be bound 

 without delay as they will be beyond redemption in a short 

 while. As they are now the volumes are unavoidably sub- 

 jected to rough handling by readers, which only accelerates 

 their gradual ruin. Another year should not be allowed to 

 pass without steps being taken looking towards the elimination 

 of this condition. Irreparable loss is gaining headway, and 

 that which might be avoided is accumulating, carrying with 

 it great expense which could be obviated by immediate atten- 

 tion. 



In exchange for our Transactions we are receiving the 

 publications of a great many institutions of learning through- 

 out the world. In this way we are acquiring daily important 

 additions to our Library, but I desire to again emphasize the 

 lack of proper reference facilities. Our greatest need at 

 present is books relating to the various branches of science. 

 Without access to the literature of any scientific sub- 

 ject it is impossible for an investigator to proceed with his 

 investigation or to obtain satisfactory results. It is very 

 desirable that a sum of money be appropriated for this pur- 

 pose annually. 



During the year the systematic cataloging and indexing of 

 our Library was begun. 



