THE NAUTILUS. 
Ill 
maintenance. But in its turn, the exposition company was ousted 
and its building destroyed. The property of the Academy was sent 
to storage where it remained for several years. In 1891 when the 
affairs of the Academy seemed to have reached their lowest ebb, a 
proposition was made to unite its fortunes with the University of 
Chicago, then just organizing. This the Academy was not willing 
to do, feeling that in time the identity of the organization would be¬ 
come lost in that of the University. In 1892 a generous citizen of 
Chicago Mr. Matthew Laflin, seconded and aided by his son George 
K. Laflin promised to give a sum adequate for the purpose of erect¬ 
ing a building which should stand for all time as the home of the 
Academy. In addition to this, it was ascertained that it was pos¬ 
sible for the commissioners of Lincoln Park to aid in the prosecution 
of such an enterprise by offering a site and additional endowment. 
The result is one of the most perfect museum buildings situated in 
one of the most beautiful parks in the world. In June, 1893, the 
corner stone was laid and Nov. 1, 1894, the building was formally 
thrown open to the public. 
The new building is a plain rectangular structure measuring 150 
by 50 feet. The material of the building is Bedford stone and the 
architecture is Romanesque. Over the central doorway is the in¬ 
scription Matthew Laflin Memorial. The interior is decorated 
in old gold and ivory giving a soft tone to the light. There is electric¬ 
ity, running water, electric bells, elevator, and all the modern im¬ 
provements which go to make up a perfect museum. 
The library contains 5000 scientific works. It communicates with 
the museum by two stairways. The museum hall is 150x50x30 feet, 
with one wide gallery. Upon the main floor there are 24 large 
cases, in the gallery the same number with the addition of a large 
rail case. Unlike most museums there is not a dark corner in the 
building, from cellar to garret. 
The collections consist for the most part, of North American pro¬ 
ductions, and are most complete so far as the valley of the Mississippi 
is concerned. In Mollusca, the collection is rich in North American 
forms. 
With a new building and the best of facilities, it is believed that 
the Academy will again occupy a prominent place among Scientific 
bodies, and regain the prestige and fulfil the promise of its earlier 
■days. 
