State Museum of Natural Htstory. 17 



proper places in tlie collection. They show the more delicate 

 structure and colors of the animal forms which are not easily 

 preserved. 



Twenty-seven specimens of corals, purchased from H. T. Wood- 

 man, of New York city, have been mounted on walnut pedestals 

 and placed on exhibition in a wall case on the front. The sponges 

 occupy a part of the case. 



A thorough examination of the alcoholic collection was made 

 early in the year and the percentage of alcohol was found in some 

 cases as low as thirty per cent, and in nearly all down to fifty per 

 cent. The alcohol was taken out, filtered and brought up to a 

 standard of seventy and the bottles after cleaning, were refilled. 

 The whole collection is now grouped in the two western wall cases, 

 against the south wall. 



The work of mounting and rearranging the Beecher collection 

 of fresh-water shells is in progress and they will be in order 

 before the year closes. 



The collection of woods of New York State, which purchase 

 was ordered at the Regents' meeting in January last, is being 

 made by Mr. Komeyn B. Hough, of Lowville, Lewis county. He 

 reports that forty-five (45) varieties have already been secured. 

 The whole number to be obtained by him, as per contract, is 

 seventy-four (74). The following letter from Mr. Hough gives 

 the progress made and the probable time of the delivery of the 

 collection. 



Low^^LLE, N. Y.y November IG, 1889. 

 Mr. John C. Smock: 



My Dear Sir. — In reply to your inquiry of the fifteenth instant I 

 would say that I have now gathered specimens of forty-five si^ecies of 

 our New York State timbers. Others I intend getting soon and trust 

 I shall have them all in time. 



The seasoning of these specimens I find requires considerable time, 

 and hence they can not be finished for museum display this year. 

 They are under shelter and doing perhaps as well as can be, letting 

 nature take her own course, and will be finished up for the Museum 

 as soon as it seems advisable. I hope they will then make a hand- 

 some display of our forest wealth in that line. 



Very respectfully. 



EOMEYN B. HOUGH. 

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