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archeological friend, a physician of high reputation in New York, 
is studying the teeth and bones of quadrupeds this winter, be- 
cause he will need this knowledge in field work next summer. 
Just now there comes in a disturbing element in the way of 
joint efforts. The Historical Association expects a new building, 
but so does the city look for a new library, in which a society 
like this might gather and exhibit many things for the common 
good, in a fitting place always accessible. It is understood that 
suitable quarters will be provided for a loan Art Museum, and 
might be for others. I wish that in some way our artistic, scien- 
tific, and historical interests could be combined in one great edu- 
cational project and center, resulting in a splendid endowment of 
valuable material worthy of a live city like this. 
There are certain collections in Syracuse now which deserve 
passing attention. The admirably arranged geological cabinet 
of the High School I have not seen for many years, but it seemed 
just the thing such students need. So of the various collections 
at the University. They well illustrate the lessons there taught, 
and are intended for this. They are working cabinets for special 
uses. 
An Academy of Science has other plans, if of a local char- 
acter. It may indulge in anything curious, beautiful or strange, 
which it can obtain, but its great aim is to study and illustrate 
its own home field. For its purposes it may be said, “ A man’s 
best things lie nearest him, lie close about his feet.” We want 
to know and collect our local treasures. 
This local work often has rich results. Mrs. Treat said she 
found more in carefully studying a small space of ground than 
when she traversed broad acres. After the Skaneateles library 
was founded, a cabinet was thought desirable. Gifts were made, 
but there was local work. Boys and men came home with pock- 
ets full of rocks from shores and ravines, and the result was the 
naming of several fossils new to science. In this one field we 
have much yet to do. All Onondaga’s problems are not solved, 
or its treasures exhausted. 
In actual work my idea is that we want both a concentration 
and a division of labor. First, a division, in order that each one 
