854 J5ULLETIN 109, UNITKD STATES NATIONM. MUSEUM. 



as to the best mode of putting in force the objects of the legislature 

 as expressed in the resolution referred to. The following is a literal 

 transcription of this letter : 



Office of the Regents of the 

 University of the State of New Yosk, 



Albany, June J, 1865. 



Sik: The senate and the assembly of the State of New York, on the 24th of 

 April last, each adopted the following resolution : 



Whereas the collections in geology, mineralogy, and other departments of 

 natural history, made by the geological survey of the State, vv'ere committed to 

 the charge of the regents of the university by act of the legislature in 1845, 

 and the reports published before and since that period as the results of the sur- 

 vey, have conferi'ed great credit upon the State of New York, both at home and 

 abroad, and the nomenclature proposed by her geologists has been adopted by 

 other States, and iu the geological survey of Canada, and is well known, appre- 

 ciated, and recognized by the scientific men of Europe; and 



Whereas great progress has been made since that period in geological in- 

 vestigations, both here and abroad, and it is due to science, as well as a suitable 

 recognition of the great credit given to the State of New York, that her pre- 

 eminence be sustained by keeping up the character and authenticity of her col- 

 lections as a museum of practical and scientific geology: Therefore be It 



Resnlved, That the regents of the university report to the legislature at its 

 next session what means may be necessary, together with a plan, for plncing 

 the State cabinet of natural history in the condition required by the present 

 state of science, and to maintain it in full efScieucy as a museum of scientific 

 and practical geology and comparative zoology ; and whether the establishment 

 of a system of free lectures in connection with the cabinet is desirable, and if 

 so, on what general plan the same should be founded. 



The regents of the university have committed the duty of preparing their 

 answer to this resolution to their standing committee on the State cabinet of 

 natural history. 



In the discharge of this duty the committee desire to avail themselves of the 

 aid of those whose special studies relate to the subject of natural history in any 

 of its branches and of all who are interested in the increase and spread of knowl- 

 edge. They trust that the general scientific and economic interests to be sub- 

 served by the action contemplated in the resolution will induce cordial coopera- 

 tion with them on the prat of those to whom this circular letter is addressed. 



They will be obliged to you for the expression of your views and suggestions 

 upon any or all of the following topics, or upon any branch of them : 



1st. Plans for placing the State cabinet of natural history in the condition re- 

 quired by the present state of science and for maintaining it in full efficiency as 

 a museum of scientific and practical geology and comparative zoology. 



2d. The proper organization of a scientific staff to carry out such plans and 

 estimates of the proper compensation thereof and of the other expenditures, 

 temporary or perm.anent, requisite to the attainment of the ends m view, 



3d. The desirableness of a system of free lectures in connection with the cabi- 

 net, and if deemed desirable, a general i)lan for founding such a system of 

 lectures. 



Answers are requested as early at least as the 1st of September next, to be 

 addressed to the undersigned at Albany. 



T have the hbnor to be, sir, your obedient servant, 



S. B. Woolwobth, 

 Secretary of the Regents, on behalf of the Committee. 



