20 , BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



would got the yellow fever if he went out in the hot sun, he said, 

 " The crabs and the shell-fish haven't got the yellow fever," and 

 kept up his work until the yellow fever destroyed him. He was 

 a man of extraordinary power, and made a collection of shells 

 which, for purposes of study, is hardly equalled by any other 

 collection in the country ; every specimen in its place, properly 

 labelled, giving the country, the order, the family, the genus, 

 the species, the variety, and everything about it. Eight thou- 

 sand species and one hundred thousand specimens ! Now, the 

 only use of these cabinets is to teach students, and if a thou- 

 sand students could be taught there every year, the trustees of 

 Amherst College would rejoice the more. These treasures are 

 of value only as they are used. Therefore, we have no occasion 

 to go and spend our lives or fortunes in building up more cabi- 

 nets ; we have nothing to do but examine those at our very 

 doors. These are not things of slight importance. But I will 

 not occupy any more time in that direction. Suffice it to say, 

 the college is well enough located. 



Secondly, the college has some means for instruction in the 

 way of buildings, cabinets, &c. I will not undertake to go 

 through the list, but here you see them. Here are all these 

 buildings on this ridge, and the buildings yonder, at the plant- 

 house, which have grown up, under the inspiration of -f 130,000, 

 in the last eighteen months. There they are, paid for, insured, 

 and they belong to the Massachusetts Agricultural College. 

 They are at your service. We can accommodate with board 

 here on the premises and give excellent rooms to 110 students. 

 So much for the buildings. 



We have the State cabinet, collected during a period of twenty 

 years at the State House, with the geological specimens gathered 

 by Dr. Hitchcock, and the valuable collection of birds and 

 animals made by Secretary Flint. We have a botanic museum 

 of seeds, plants, woods and fruit models begun and in a promis- 

 ing way, and we have an admirable collection of living, growing 

 plants in the plant-house, the gift of a member of this Board, 

 (Dr. Durfoe.) So that we have some of the necessary appliances 

 of instruction. 



Tlien we have this laboratory which, as soon as we vacate it 

 to-day, is to be taken possession of by the carpenters, who are to 



