1908.] NATURAL SCIENCES OF PHILADELPHIA. 631 



portion of the lot. With the exception of works of reference (encyclo- 

 pedias, etc.), and possibly those on general natural history, the entire 

 library is to be arranged in tiers of steel stacks. At present five such 

 tiers are provided for, extending from the ground to near the roof of 

 the rear section of the new building, thus securing increased room 

 which is sadly needed and, it is hoped, safety from fire. 



^Irs. James Woods, of Camden, Alabama, has thoughtfully presented 

 to the Academy a collection of seventeen letters written by Isaac Lea, 

 Timothy A. Conrad, Samuel G. Morton, Benjamin Silliman, William 

 Hall and John Finch, from 1829 to 1835, to Judge Charles Tait, of Clai- 

 borne, Monroe Co., Alabama, who was the first to develop, with his 

 correspondents, the Claiborne beds, of so much interest in American 

 geology as furnishing the most noted deposits of Eocene shells. The 

 letters contain several items of personal interest and indicate especially 

 the zeal and enthusiasm of a former President of the Academy, Isaac 

 Lea. 



Acknowledgment is due William J. Fox, for his efficient assistance 

 to the Librarian and the Publication Committee. 



Ed^vard J. Nolan, 



Librarian. 



REPORT OF THE CURATORS. 



The erection of the new library, stack, lecture hall and study rooms 

 and the alteration of the old building were begun early in the spring. 

 At the present time the alterations are practically completed, wliile the 

 new building is nearly ready for the roof. 



A handsome entrance hall has been constructed at the Logan Square 

 front, which has been carried through the old lecture room, making a 

 direct communication wdth the first floor of the Museum. The stair- 

 ways w^hich formerly connected the floors of the Museimi have been 

 removed to the vestibule, and all the rooms have been shut off both 

 from the vestibule and from each other by regulation fire-doors, which 

 greatly increase the safety of the collections. 



A fire-proof room has been constructed in the lower part of the old 

 lecture hall, which will be fitted up for the accommodation of the 

 alcoholic collections, where they will be shut off from all other parts 

 of the Museum. 



Heat and gas pipes and electric hght wires have been installed in the 

 vestibules and entrance hall and a new boiler placed in the engine 

 house. 



