298 FORTT-THIRD REPORT ON THE StATE MuSEUM. 



more than ten years ago can not be creditably published at the 

 present time without a modification in its scope and illustration. 



Moreover, while the law of 1883 proposed and enacted a restric- 

 tion upon the extent of the work as originally planned, the subject 

 has in the meantime expanded far beyond what was known in 

 1867 or in 1878, and to meet these conditions the work should have 

 been extended instead of curtailed. 



In the twenty-eight plates already lithograped very full illus- 

 trations have been given of the families Orthid.e, Strophomenid^, 

 Productid.e and Spiriferid.e, embracing twenty-one genera. The 

 species have been illustrated in their external form, hinge structure, 

 muscular and vascular markings, leaving the microscopic structure 

 to be illustrated in subsequent plates. 



There remain according to the provisions of the contract but 

 twenty-nine (30?) plates to be made up and lithographed. In order 

 to make the work complete these twenty-nine plates should embrace 

 the illustration of eleven families and almost eighty genera. 



This would require the illustration of nearly three genera upon 

 each plate, beside the illustration of microscopic structure. It 

 is scarcely necessary to say that this space is entirely inadequate 

 for the proper presentation of this class of fossils. 



It becomes important to consider this subject in view of the 

 approach to completion of volume YII. Not only is it necessary 

 to consider the question of the procuring of material for study and 

 illustration, but the question as to whether a work begun in 1867 

 shall, after a lapse of twenty years, be continued and published 

 upon the basis of the knowledge then possessed, or whether we 

 will recognize the great progress made during that period and 

 adapt our work to the existing state of our knowledge. 



In conclusion, I beg leave to call your attention to the accompany- 

 ing list of genera of Lamellibranchiata published and illustrated in 

 volume V, part I, of the Palaeontology of New York, together with 

 a list of other Paheozoic genera which it has been proposed to 

 illustrate in a bulletin of the State Museum of Natural History. 

 Should the board remain of the same opinion as formerly it 

 becomes very desirable to take some steps to procure specimens 

 for illustration and to keep in view the plan of final publication. 



I am very respectfully, your obedient servant. 



JAMES HALL. 



