48 HISTORICAL SKETCH OF THE 



Up to the time when again forced by disease to relinquish his labors, he continued to 

 manifest the same zeal in behalf of the Society as had always been shown by him from its 

 formation. His last work for it was in a strenuous effort to obtain subscriptions from the 

 public that would enable it to possess a building suitable for its increasing collections, and 

 he had well nigh succeeded before incapacitated from further exertion. 



The Society could have met, apparently, no greater loss than that incurred by the death 

 of Dr. Binney. This was felt deeply by its members, as his intentions to devote time and 

 means largely to its service were well known to them. 



But they did not mourn his loss merely as that of one from whom, had he lived, the 

 Society might have received continued benefits, but because they felt in common with all 

 who knew him intimately, that a helpful companion, a good citizen, and an upright man 

 had passed away, one possessing all the traits that constitute the character which he 

 prayed might be the high aim of his children to acquire, that of a Christian gentleman. 



In April, Dr. Samuel Cabot, in behalf of a Committee to whom had been allotted the 

 duty of seeking for the Society a suitable edifice for its purposes, reported that the build- 

 ing in Mason Street known as the Massachusetts Medical College was for sale at a reason- 

 able price, and that after a thorough examination, they judged it capable of being adapted 

 perfectly to the wants of the Society. They therefore recommended its purchase, and 

 that the necessary alterations be made. 



After some discussion a vote passed unanimously that the Committee have authority to 

 purchase the property and make the proposed alterations. 



The Annual Meeting was held on the first Wednesday of May and the reports of the 

 Curators were presented, but on motion being made, the reading of them was postponed 

 until the next meeting, when the annual address would be delivered. The officers of the 

 Society were elected, John Collins Warren, M. D., being chosen President. The only 

 other change from those of the previous year, was that Dr. S. Kneeland, Jr., was made 

 cabinet keeper. 



The reports of the Curators were read at the next meeting. The specimens of the sev- 

 eral departments, excepting that of Entomology, of which no report was made, were rep- 

 resented to be now in safe condition, though not much increased in number. Those of the 

 Ornithological department were two-thirds of them stowed away carefully in the garret, 

 sealed up, for want of more suitable accommodations. To preserve them from the Der- 

 mestes, which had attacked them seriously in spite of previous precautions, they had been 

 immersed in corrosive sublimate. Twenty-seven or twenty-eight specimens had been re- 

 ceived from that indefatigable friend of the Society, Dr. Cragin of Surinam. 



As was remarked at the meeting, it must not be inferred from the reports of the Cura- 

 tors, that there was any less interest felt in the collections than formerly. It had been 

 necessary to refuse specimens for want of room to accommodate them and it had not been 

 possible to arrange properly those already belonging to the Society. 



The Vice President, Dr. Storer, made some very appropriate remarks upon the late 

 President, Dr. Binney, and addressing his successor, warmly welcomed him to the seat he 

 was now occupying, pledging the hearty co-operation of his brother members and himself 

 in aiding him to advance the interests of the Society. 



