XIV JorHNAL OF I'lv'oCKKUINGS. 



Siiifo lliis rcsoliilioii, tlic collections of llie Musenin have eiiorriiously 

 jncroascd, ko that before a new building,' could now be completed the 

 material pressinj; for display would more than cover the entire area of 

 such a buildini; as the present one. It seems absolutely necessary that 

 the new bnildin^- should contain, beside a basement, at least two stories, 

 it beiiifr indispensable to have, ai)art from the purposes of display, 

 upper rooms for the prei)aration of the exhibits below. 



The price of material has risen very greatly, so that, owing to these 

 combined causes, the estimate of 1883 is not applicable to the wants of 

 to day. The Secretary did not conceive that any supplementary action 

 on the part of the Kegeuts was now needed, but submitted these plans 

 and estimates that they might be advised of the probable very consider- 

 able increase in the sum that it would now be necessary to ask of Con- 

 gress. 



The Cb... uustice, being obliged to leave here, resigned the chair to 

 Senator Morrill. 



Tlie Secretary stated that in connection with this subject of the plans 

 he would present a letter from Mr. Cluss, of the firm of Cluss «& 

 Schulze, architects, asking for " an equitable compensation " for pro- 

 fessional services and expenses in former years, in connection with a 

 l)roj)osed building for the Museum. 



On nu)tion of General Meigs, it was 



Kesolred, That Messrs. Cluss & Schulze be informed that the ques- 

 tion of compensation to them for idans for a new Museum building 

 will be considered when the}' shall present such a bill as can be sub- 

 mitted for Congressional action. 



The Secretary recalled to the attention of the Eegents a statement 

 made at their last meeting, to the fact that bills had been brought be- 

 fore Congress making an appropriation for the purpose of establishing 

 a Zoological Park under a IJoard of Commissioners, of whom the Secre- 

 tary of the Snuthsonian Institution was one, and directing this Com- 

 mission, after purchasing and laying out the land and erecting the 

 necessary buildings, to turn it over to the Regents. The bill as since 

 actually passed, however, only instructed the Commissioners to pur- 

 chase the land; and, while declaring the Park to be for the advance- 

 ment of science, gave no intimation of the intent of Congress about its 

 ultim.itc disjiosal. This Commission has nearly completed the purchase, 

 and the time has now arrived when the Park may advantageously be 

 jtlaced under scientific direction. He could not, of course, anticipate 

 what the tinal action of Congress would be in the matter, but he was 

 authorized to state that the Commission would feel satisfied if Congress 

 should place the Park under the Regents' control. There is an increas- 

 ing collection of animals already in the Regents' care, and an a[)proj)ria- 

 tion of !?.■)(►,(►(>() has been asked for, to provide for its establishment in 

 the newly acciuired Park, which, within its large area, would also pro- 

 vide suitable retirement for the small physical observatory already 



