1883.] NATURAL SCIENCES OP PHILADELPHIA. 335 



field lectures were given at various points, where the strata, with 

 their enclosed minerals or fossils, could be studied in place. 

 Owing to the exceptional geological position of the cit_y, excur- 

 sions could be made to all the principal geological formations, 

 from the Laurentian to the Quaternary, inclusive. Among the 

 places visited were the mineral localities of Philadelphia, Bucks 

 and Delaware counties, the iron-mines and marble-quarries of Mont- 

 gomery county, the metalliferous veins and the Triassic rocks of the 

 Perkiomen Creek and elsewhere, the marl-pits of New Jersey, the 

 Palaeozoic strata along the Lehigh, and the coal regions of Mauch 

 Chunk. The attendance averaged about forty, about half of whom 

 were ladies. Eeports of these lectures, as published in a city 

 newspaper, are herewith deposited in the library of the Academy. 



The mineralogical collection has increased steadily, as shown 

 by the annexed list of donations. The magnificent collection of 

 the late William S. Vaux, Esq., referred to in last year's report, 

 and more particularly described in the report of its Curator, 

 has been deposited as a special collection, under certain conditions, 

 in a room fitted up for the purpose, and is a most valuable and 

 noteworthy addition to the collections of the Academ}-. 



A local collection of Pennsylvania minerals is now being 

 formed on the lower floor of the museum, in connection with a 

 systematic display of the natural history of the State, and the 

 aid of collectors is hereby asked to make this collection as com- 

 plete as possible. The arrangement adopted for it is that of M. 

 Adam, of Paris (as followed by Descloiseaux, Pisani, etc.), since 

 it serves better the purpose of public instruction than the classi- 

 fication of Prof. Dana, according to which the general collection 

 is arranged. 



In fhe hope that the generous friends of the Academy will 

 assist in siipph-ing a much-felt want, attention is again drawn to 

 the urgent need of scientific in=5truments (goniometer, litholoo-ical 

 apparatus, etc.), both for instruction and for original investigation 

 in this department. 



Respectfully submitted, 



H. Carvill Lewis, 



Professor of Mineralogy. 



