SYNOPSIS OF PROCEEDINGS. 315 



of familiarizing themselves with an exhibit of the varied works and 

 remains of the Mound Builders. These, as object lessons, have ap- 

 pealed to the senses and thus illustrated the knowledge they have de- 

 rived from the teaching of their text-books. 



In addition to such instances, parties engaged in the pursuit of 

 special studies have regularly resorted to our rooms for the prosecution 

 of their work. Every effort has been made by the Academy to facil- 

 itate such work by the proffer of the free use of the varied material upon 

 our shelves for examination and comparison, while the books in our 

 library have, for the time being, been placed at their disposal. The 

 thorough modern classification of our large array of fossils, recom- 

 mended years ago, and even then insisted on as a necessity by your 

 former Curator, Prof. Pratt, has been commenced and prosecuted to a 

 considerable extent. The fragmentary and otherwise imperfect con- 

 dition of specimens has made it a slow, tedious task, while the daily 

 interruptions to which your Curator is subjected have helped still fur- 

 ther to cripple him and sadly interfere with the early accomplishment 

 of the work. Respectfully submitted, 



January 4. 1893. ^^'- H- Barris, Curator. 



librarian's REPORT. 



To THE Officers and Members of the Davenport'Academy of 

 Natural Sciences : 



Your Librarian begs leave to report 1458 additions to the library 

 for the year just closed, these additions comprising the transactions of 

 scientific societies, government and state publications, etc., are regu- 

 larly received in exchange for our own publications. As stated in the 

 report of your Librarian one year ago, the means of properly caring 

 for and preserving this valuable collection are wholly inadequate. 

 There has been no binding done, nor shelf room provided during the 

 year, both of which are urgently needed.'^'- To relieve^ our immediate 

 wants for shelf room, I would recommend that the present shelving 

 in the library room be extended to the ceiling, thus utilizing much 

 valuable space. Respectfully submitted, 



January 4, 1893. C- ^- HARRISON, Librarian. 



corresponding secretary's REPORT. 



During the past year the Secretary has written 113 letters and re- 

 ceived 107. The correspondence has been mainly in reference to the 

 publications of the society and applications for the same. 



In addition to these a large number of letters have been received 

 acknowledging the receipt of publications. Our regular forms for such 

 acknowledgement have been exhausted, and to write them out in full 

 has devolved on the Secretary an unusual amount of labor. 



Respectfully submitted. 



January 4, 1893. W. H. Barris, Corresponding Secretary. 



