538 PROCEEDINGS OF THE ACADEMY OF [1899. 



collections. When issued the work will be a most important con- 

 tribution to bibliography. It will not only inform the student of 

 sources of information, but also prevent unnecessary and often 

 expensive duplication, the possessions of one library being at the 

 service of the patrons of the others, of course under the rules 

 governing the several associations. 



The October meeting of the Pennsylvania Library Club was 

 held in the hall of the Academy. Your Librarian made a com- 

 munication on the history and resources of the library, concluding 

 with a short contribution to paleoutological history, which, while 

 not germane to the objects of the Club, seemed to interest those in 

 attendance. 



Dr. Sharp reports that the lantern slides of which he has charge 

 now number 980. The collection embraces subjects in all depart- 

 ments of natural history and furnishes most desirable illustrations 

 for the courses of lectures delivered under the auspices of the 

 Academy. 



It again gives me pleasure to acknowledge the efficiency of my 

 assistant, Mr. William J. Fox. 



Edward J. Nolan, 



Llhrarian. 



REPORT OF THE CURATORS. 



The general collections, with all the additions of the year in the 

 care of the Curators, are in an excellent state of preservation. 



A large amount of work has been accomplished since the last 

 report in rearranging the specimens in the old building. 



The dry invei'tebrates have been placed in new cases, so far as 

 they could be arranged therein, though some of the geographic 

 series have had to be temporarily stored in packing cases. The 

 display series has been cleansed and entirely relabelled. 



The remaining cases in the upper gallery have been removed 

 from the damp walls, which have been whitened, thus securing 

 additional light. 



The many large specimens of minerals formerly displayed in the 

 gallery have been placed in a case on the first floor where they 

 have been labelled and arranged to much better advantage. 



' On the floor devoted to the mammals in the new building, a new 

 mahogany and plate-glass case has been provided for the Carnivora, 



