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moulded, which was a long operation with only one assistant 
and a laborer. 
As the Commissioners had not decided on the site for the 
Museum building to protect these models and contain the 
Geological Illustrations accompanying them, as described in 
18th Report, page 29, I was called upon by them, through 
the Comptroller, to make designs, plans and models, to scale, 
for the laying out of the then intended Zoological gardens, 
known as Manhattan Square, on 8th Avenue between 77th 
and 81st streets—these plans and models to scale, which are 
now in existence, for Bear-pits, Beaver-runs and so on, occu- 
pied me until the end of the year 69, which of course caused 
my restorations to remain in complete abeyance. 
In January, 1870, the site for the Geological Museum 
was decided upon, and the foundations were commenced. 
As the Arsenal was required for the Museum of Natural 
History, it became necessary that my large model and 
the moulds should be removed, and a small temporary 
shed was built with a forge, (in reference to the iron 
frames of my restorations). I now had hopes of the com- 
mencement of my real proper work, for the Comptroiler 
promised me that the platform on which alone I could erect 
my models, might reasonably be expected from week to week. 
But sundry administrative changes were then taking place 
which appeared to postpone the advancement of this platform, 
and the temporary shelter, under which I could carry on my 
work through the summer and winter: until in the month of 
May, the total change of the Commissioners again presented 
a barrier to the hoped-for commencement of my own legiti- 
mate work. Karly in June, the Vice-President of the Board 
of Commissioners informed me, that it was the wish of the 
Commissioners that I should give my attention to designs for 
the new Zoological Gardens, and to sundry temporary build- 
ings, for improving the sanitary condition of the animals at 
the Arsenal. These buildings were to be erected in conjunc- 
tion with the present Architect-in-chief It was very 
distressing to me to find my own occupation was still to be 
kept in abeyance, with less prospect of continuance than 
