224 PROCEEDINGS OE THE ACADEMY OF 



In the Report above alluded to, Dr. Zantzinger estimated that the works in 

 parts or numbers not yet completed, and pamphlets, when bound, would make 

 about 500 volumes. Since that time the increase in periodicals and pamphlets 

 has been over 6000. If now we regard these, when bound, as equivalent to 500 

 volumes, and accordingly add them to the above sum, we shall obtain for the 

 whole Library a grand total of more than 17,000 volumes. 



During the year more than 400 volumes have been bound in a substantia! 

 manner, and without cost to the Academy, the expenses having been defrayed 

 by Dr. T. B. Wilson. Many other volumes are still in the hands of the binder. 



Owing to the increase in the number of Journals, Transactions, &c., of learned 

 societies received in exchange for the publications of the Academy, Dr. T. B. 

 Wilson, with his accustomed liberality, has caused eight additional cases to be 

 made and placed in the western room of the Library for the better accommoda- 

 tion and arrangement of the books. These cases extend in a row, like a par- 

 tition, nearly across the room from north to south, dividing it into two smaller, 

 oblong apartments, which communicate by a narrow passage, and are lighted by 

 two windows, one at each end. In consequence of these alterations, and the in- 

 creased attendance' at the meetings of the Academy, the latter have, since Novem- 

 ber last, been held in the eastern room, the largest and most coramodioi;s of the 

 three rooms containing the Library. The two northern windows of this apart- 

 ment have been walled up with brick from the floor to the ceiling, so that the 

 dangers from fire in that direction are considerably diminished. Upon the floor, 

 and in the recesses formerly occupied by the windows, two new book-cases have 

 been erected. Gas has also been introduced into this room. The whole cost 

 of these alterations has been borne by Dr. Wilson. 



While congratulating the members of the Academy and the lovers of science 

 in general upon the rapid influx of valuable books and periodicals into the 

 Library, and the increasing facilities thus offered for scientific research, I deem 

 it not inappropriate to take this opportunity of earnestly reminding the mem- 

 bers of the importance of using every eS'ort still further to enlarge the bounds 

 of the Library, protect it from injury, and increase the sphere of its utility. 



J. AiTKEN Meigs, Librarian. 



The Treasurer's Report was read and referred to the Auditors. 

 The Curators reported as follows : 



REPORT OF THE CURATORS FOR 1857. 



The Curators, in presenting their annual report, take pleasure in stating that 

 the Museum of the Academy continues in its usual excellent condition of pre- 

 servation. 



The arrangement of the Museum has made considerable progress during the 

 year now approaching its close, though much remains to be done before it shall 

 be put in complete order. 



The collections, at present nearly or completely arranged and labelled, are 

 those of Mammals, Reptiles, Insects, Crustaceans, of Botany, of Vertebrate 

 Fossils, of Fossil Plants, of Minerals, of Birds' Eggs, and of Human Skulls. 



The collections in course of arrangement, and of which several have made 

 considerable progress, are those of Birds, Fishes, Mollusks, and of Comparative 

 Anatomy. 



The collections of Invertebrate Fossils, Echinoderms, Zoophytes, and Sponges, 

 remain untouched. The first of these collections indicated is a very large and 

 important one, and strongly demands the attention of some of our members to 

 arrange it. 



During the year, Mr. W. J. Binney has nearly completed the arrangement of 

 the Conchological cabinet. Dr. Wilson continues to arrange the collection of 

 Birds, and Drs. Bridges and Morris have made considerable progress in the 



[[December, 



