December, 1844.] 181 



plated. For the accomplishment of these desirable objects, the Society is 

 indebted to the active efforts of the Curators, and other members. 



In number, variety, and aggregate value, the communications to the Society 

 in 1844, which have been published, will more than bear comparison with 

 those of any previous period, and furnish additional proof of the fact stated in 

 former reports, that this modejof publication is annually increasing in impor- 

 tance and advantage to it, and is therefore eminently deserving of its continued 

 attention and care. 



The report of the Treasurer will show that some financial arrangements 

 have been effected by him during the year, materially benefitting the Society ; 

 and that the efforts of this officer are still zealous and constant to secure to it 

 whatever advantages circumstances may place in his power. 



It is doubtless still within the recollection of most of those present, that the 

 long pending claim of the Society for $5,000 upon the heirs of an estate, 

 (being the amount of a mortgage upon the latter, presented to the Academy by 

 its late President, William Maclure,) was settled in the course of la-t year by 

 a compromise between the parties, the Academy agreeing to accept from the 

 heirs, in payment of the claim, about $4,550, in Pennsylvania five per cent, 

 stock, at its original value. Mr. Alexander Maclure, desirous of carrying out 

 the wishes and intentions of his brother to the full extent, tendered to the 

 Academy, a few months since, the difference between the original claim and 

 the amount accepted from the heirs. This sum, about $450, has been received, 

 and is now in the Treasury. The Academy owes its sincere thanks to this 

 gentleman, both for his promptness and the generous motives which influenced 

 him in this matter. The State stock still remains in the hands of the 

 Treasurer, under the hope, which recent circumstances have contributed to 

 strengthen, that its par value will ultimately be realized by the Academy. 



The donations to the Museum, in the different departments, have been 

 numerous and valuable, as has been already stated. 



Of the Mammalia, donations of skins and mounted specimens have been 

 received from Dr. Wm. Blanding, Dr. Reynell Coates, Oliver Evans, Esq., Mr. 

 Kilvington, and also a number in exchange. 



The contributions and additions to the Ornithological collection have been 

 remarkably numerous and valuable. They have been derived chiefly from Mr. 

 Cassin, Dr. Watson, Dr. Blanding, the late Dr. Westley Johnson of Liberia, 

 Dr. Kane, U. S. N., Mr. Woodhouse and others. A number of fine bird skins 

 from Brazil, were purchased by subscription ; and recently, a large addition has 

 been obtained from Sweden, in exchange. 



The members are generally aware of the fact, that the Academy has pos- 

 sessed, for several years, a large and rapidly increasing collection of bird and 

 quadruped skins. Many of these were rare and valuable: the gifts of corres- 

 pondents and friends of the Institution, to some of whom it has been at all 

 times indebted for contributions to its collections. With all the precautions 

 which may be taken, these skins cannot be entirely protected from injuries from 

 insects, dust, and other causes, and the Curators therefore promptly embraced 

 an opportunity, fortunately afforded a few months since, of employing a compe- 

 tent taxidermist, and upon such favorable terms, as to entrust to him the prepa- 



