Report of the Curator. \^ 



perfect insect, entire biograpliies licave been secured, wliicli may 

 be expected to appear in future rej^orts of the State Cabinet. 



A museum of natural history, without representation in a 

 department more numerous in sp(^cies tlian all tlie other depart- 

 ments combined, seems so unnatural that it is believed that your 

 honorable Board will gladly avail themselves of the present 

 favorable opportunity of supplying a deficiency referred to in 

 former reports, and which has long been a cause of reproach to 

 our Museum. If authorized by you, Mr. Lintner will, the ensu- 

 ing season, commence a collection of insects for the State Cabi- 

 net. From proffers already made of contributions of both 

 native and foreign insects, — from the exceedingly favorable 

 localities for collecting in the immediate vicinity of Albany, and 

 from specimens already in his possession, he confidently relies 

 upon his ability to place in the rooms, in a short time, an ento- 

 mological collection which will prove an attractive feature and a 

 valuable acquisition to the Museum. The expenses for the 

 necessary cases for the collection would be inconsiderable, and 

 the space required for its display could readily be obtained. 



The following collections of fossils have been distributed from 

 the Museum during the year : To the Phipps Union Seminary, 

 seventy species ; to the AVood Library of Canandaigua, a col- 

 lection of seventj^-one species ; to the Jamestown Academy, a 

 collection of one hundred and nine species ; to Wm. Valiant, 

 of Rome, i^. Y., in exchange, a collection of fifty-four species. 



In conclusion, I would earnestly request that the Committee 

 of the Board of Regents having charge of the State Cabinet 

 visit the rooms and examine its several departments, with a 

 view to a knowledge of its present condition and arrangement 

 of materials, as well as to advise or direct any changes or 

 increase of facilities which they may think proper. 

 I have the honor to be, very respectfully. 



Your obedient servant, 



JAMES HALL. 

 Albany, January 9, 1870. 



