SYNOPSIS OF PROCEEDINGS. ig-j 



In geology and palrentology, Professor Barris has contributed some 

 new species, described in papers recently published. 



Rev. J. Gass forwarded a box of Silurian fossils from Allamakee 

 County, and M. A. L. Mueller, of Sioux City, contributed an interest- 

 ing limestone fossil, undetermined, from that locality. The historical 

 department has received from Dr. E. S. Barrows the likenesses of sev- 

 eral of the early settlers of this city, and a considerable number of 

 interesting relics have been added by various contributors. On the 

 whole, the growth of the museum has been rather less than during 

 several preceding years, and this is due to want of a sufficient number 

 of active working members; want of funds for prosecuting researches 

 and preparing specimens, and want of cases in which to arrange what 

 is acquired. Nearly all the available space for cases in the building is 

 now occupied. We could, however, put in the basement four or five 

 similar to those already there, and they would be very desirable for 

 collections in local and systematic geology and mineralogy, which are 

 very much needed. With such collections we could interest and aid 

 the pupils of the high schools of this and the closely adjacent cities, 

 and their hitherto occasional visits would become more frequent and 

 regular. This requires more means, and especially more attention. A 

 good foundation has been laid and a great deal of earnest, effective 

 work done, but the whole is incomplete. The opportunity is a grand 

 one for building up an institution which shall be a constantly growing 

 stimulus and aid to studies in natural science, and to public education. 

 To do this will require not only continued but greatly increased active 

 membership and active support on the part of the community at large. 

 For the development of earnest and thorough students and workers in 

 practical science, much is to be hoped from such organizations as the 

 Agassiz club of young men, which is now holding regular meetings here, 

 and every effort should be made for the encouragement of that and 

 similar associations. 



LIBRARIAN'S REPORT. 

 Mr. President: 



I have the honor to report that during the year there have been one 

 thousand five hundred additions to the library. We have received, in 

 exchange for our Proceedings, the proceedings and publications of one 

 hundred fourteen scientific institutions and societies of this country, 

 and of one hundred ten foreign institutions; almost all the govern- 

 ment reports; all the state public documents; twenty monthly journals, 

 chiefly scientific ; sixteen weeklies, chiefly agricultural and mechanical ; 

 five general newspapers in addition to the city dailies, together with 

 about one hundred transient papers containing articles of scientific or 

 archaeological interest. Additions of value have been made under the 

 heads of Physics, Astronomy, Meteorology, Geology, Mineralogy, 

 Botany, Entomology, Archaeology, Anthropology, Agriculture, Educa- 

 tion, Biography, and History. 



In order to make this really valuable collection available, more shelf- 

 room is necessary. Some preliminary steps have been taken in regard 



