Central and South America, India, Japan, China, 

 Egypt, etc. In the Botany Section are books treating 

 of the form of plants, their structure, the nature of the 

 tissues of which they are composed, their classification 

 and distribution. The Department of Geology is 

 equipped with works on the science of the past and 

 present conditions of the earth, with special reference 

 to the physical changes which it has undergone, or 

 which may still be taking place. Here may also be 

 found books on minerals, gems, semi-precious stones 

 and meteorites. The Department of Zoology has inter- 

 esting books on mammals, reptiles, insects, birds and 

 fishes of every known species. The Edward E. Ayer 

 library of ornithology forms a special collection of 

 great value, and covers its subject to a degree un- 

 equalled except in a few of the largest libraries of 

 the world. It is especially rich in large sumptuously 

 illustrated volumes and series. Another special col- 

 lection, presented by Mr. Ayer, is devoted to angling 

 and ichthyology. It includes some fifteen hundred 

 volumes. 



In the general reading room, connected with the 

 library, are files of the current scientific periodicals as 

 well as the memoirs, transactions and other publica- 

 tions of learned societies throughout the world. Here 

 also are the more general reference books for the use 

 of those whose time is limited. 



The curators of all departments cooperate with the 

 library and, whenever necessary, specialists are acces- 

 sible for expert advice. 



This merely suggests the resources of the library 

 which offers, for reference, free to the use of museum 

 visitors, some eighty thousand books and pamphlets. 



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