1901.] NATURAL SCIENCES OF rHILADELPHIA. 765 



are received are placed under their respective headings, for the 

 most part consecutively, a separate running number being used iu 

 each department. The subject catalogue in a measure supplies 

 the needs of a more philosophic arrangement, and it is easy to 

 make a memorandum of the position of books on a giv^en subject. 

 Still, the adoption of the decimal system of arrangement would 

 be, in some respects, desirable ; but reclassification and recata- 

 loguiug will involve great inconvenience and a heavy expense, as 

 the employment of a corps of trained assistants will be unavoid- 

 able. It may be that some one interested in the welfare of the 

 library will volunteer to defray the cost of making such a change 

 in the prompt way which would involve the least discomfort, or the 

 Academy in the future may find itself in a position to make the 

 required appropriations. Until that time arrives it is a satisfac- 

 tion to know that few or no complaints are heard from the earnest 

 workers who use the library in yearly increasing numbers, and 

 who are intelligently informed as to what they desire in the prose- 

 cution of their work of original research. 



The statistics of work and growth for the year are sufficient 

 evidence that this department is actively benefitted by the improved 

 financial condition of the Academy. Every book added to the 

 shelves as the result of the judicious administration of its resources 

 is a memorial of the liberal and enlightened men who have selected 

 the Academy as their agent iu the advancement of science. 



Mr. William J. Fox has continued to render intelligent and 

 willing assistance to the Librarian, and also in many important 

 ways to "the Recording Secretary. 



All of which is respectfully submitted, 



Edward J. Nolan, 



lAbrarian. 



