b DAVENPORT ACADEMY OF NATURAL SCIENCES. 



Curator's Report. 

 Mr. President and Members of the Academxi : 



Soon after my last annual report, the Museum was removed to the new 

 building, the cabinet cases being transferred without the addition of any 

 new ones. Since that time the collection has been constantly and rap- 

 idly increasing, while our finances did not seem to warrant the very 

 desirable extension of shelf room for its reception. The consequence is 

 that much of what has been received has necessarily remained un- 

 packed, or laid aside until we should be better prepared for the proper 

 disposition of it. 



Within a few days a tine case of forty large drawers has been con- 

 structed in the basement, which very much facilitates the better care and 

 arrangement of the numerous specimens for which there is, as yet, no 

 room in cases, as well as the duplicates which are kept for purpose of 

 exchange. 



Even this work, though now in progress, is as yet but partially per- 

 formed. As it is contemplated very soon to put up eight new cases for 

 the Museum and Library, it is confidently hoped that we shall soon find 

 suitable space for many specimens, and some considerable collections 

 which have long been awaiting presentation to the public view. 



Owing to the circumstances already mentioned, I am still unable to 

 present catalogues of the collections, or to enumerate in this report the 

 precise number of specimens in each department which have been 

 received during the year. 



IN ARCHEOLOGY. 



Several mounds have been explored, and also a number of Indian 

 burying grouuds in this vicinity, by our associate, Rev. J. Gass, and 

 other members. In order to pursue tliis highly important work to a 

 greater extent and to better advantage during the coming year, it seems 

 very desirable, if possible, to adopt some efficient plan to establish a 

 fund to defray the expenses of such explorations. 



The most important and valuable article of any kind which has come 

 into our possession during the past year, is undoubtedly another ancient 

 inscribed tablet, this time of stone, and bearing, with the very interest- 

 ing figures which differ from those on the other tablets, a number of 

 hieroglyphic characters identical with those, and also unmistakable 

 representations of several of the relics peculiar to the mound-builders. 



We have received, chiefiy through Capt. Hall, the following articles, 

 viz : About ;i5 vessels of ancient pottery from different localities— about 

 half of which were broken and have been more or less imperfectly 

 restored— and numerous fragments ; 2 mound builders' pipes ; about 4550 

 flint implements ; about 7.5 stone implements ; 1 relic of hammered 

 copper ; a number of ornaments or charms, made of the teeth of the 

 bear, elk, etc ; several casts of ancient stone implements, and a few 

 skulls from the mounds. 



IN GEOLOGY AND PALEONTOLOGY. 



Valuable researches have been made and specimens collected by Prof. 



