184 
under the former Commissioners, but as I had reason to be- 
lieve that the great cost of the intended Museum was one of 
the chief reasons for its delay, I presented a Report to the 
Commissioners for modifying the design, so as to lessen the 
expense to a very considerable extent. 
This Report, if I may trespass a little longer on your 
patience, I will now read. 
Report on the Geological and Paleozoic Museum, to which 
it is proposed to add a grand Aquarium, together with a 
fish-hatching apparatus within the same shelter. 
Palzontological Studio, Central Park, 5th Sept., 1870. 
Henry Hitton, Esq:, Vice President, Exec. Com. D. P. P. 
Sir, 
In the 12th Report, page 131, it is stated, “ In considera- 
tion of the variable climate and the duration of the winter ~ 
in New York, it has been resolved by the Commissioners that 
the restoration (of gigantic animals) shall be erected within 
the shelter of a permanent building.” ‘This permanent build- 
ing was commenced in January of the present year, and with 
the intention of so quickly preparing the central platform on 
which the rehabilitated forms of the giant animals of Ancient 
America were to be placed; that, at the time, I had reason to 
expect the said platform would have been ready in three or 
four weeks, when with a temporary protective shed I could 
have immediately commenced the modelling and casting of 
those forms for which I had the moulds prepared, while the 
architectural portions of the building should have been carried 
on over the temporary shelter of my works. Finding now 
that not only the required platform, but also the massive 
foundations of the structure are completed, I believe it to 
be my duty to renew the requisition for temporary shelter, 
for the continuance of my work, as accepted and agreed to 
by the Commissioners of Central Park. If it be a structure 
for mere shelter, all results might be obtained in a building 
that was comparatively inexpensive, such for instance as a 
wooden structure with iron supports, or one of rough hewn 
stone, of the utmost simplicity of design, suitable to the 
