BOSTON SOCIETY OF NATURAL HISTORY. 87 



whose name was to remain for awhile unknown, had offered towards the Building Fund, 

 the munificent sum of $20,000, provided a like sum should be secured by subscription 

 from other parties ! This enabled the Committee to head the subscription papers quite 

 effectively, and no doubt had great influence in securing signatures to them. The success 

 which followed soon justified active measures for the construction, and contracts for the 

 execution of the work, and for delivery of material, such as stone, bricks, &c., immediately 

 followed. 



In May it was found that $20,000 had been subscribed, and Professor Wyman was 

 requested to communicate the fact to the gentleman who had made the offer alluded to. 

 At a subsequent meeting of the committee Professor Wyman mentioned that he was 

 none other than Dr. Wm. J. Walker, to whom the Society was indebted for the house it 

 occupied, and stated that he was ready to pay over the $20,000 at once. 



At the meeting of the Society, June 4, the President announced the reception of the 

 $20,000 from Dr. Walker, and besides other appropriate action the following resolutions 

 were passed : 



" Resolved : That the Society hereby tender to Dr. Walker their most grateful acknowl- 

 edgement for the renewed and munificent proof of his interest in their prosperity, and for 

 the occasion and the incentive which it had afforded to other friends of the Society to con- 

 tribute an equal aggregate amount. 



" Resolved : That in view of this and the previous benefactions, by which Dr. Walker 

 has marked his appreciation of our scientific labors and aspirations, we feel that to his 

 liberality, chiefly, we are indebted for the enlarged opportunities of usefulness now so 

 brightly opening before us, and that, in offering him the homage of our grateful hearts, we 

 have no need to assure him of the enduring honor which will associate his name with the 

 future successes and the whole history of the Society." 



While yet engaged in getting subscriptions, the committee kept busily at work upon 

 matters pertaining to the building, and as soon as it became clear that means enough would 

 be secured to meet the cost, they made contracts for the principal part of the work, includ- 

 ing the filling in of the land. 



From the estimates made of the probable cost of the building completed, it appeared that 

 not less than $87,000 would be required exclusive of cases, but that by leaving unfinished 

 certain portions not needed for early occupancy, about $80,000 would suffice. 



It was therefore voted not to exceed $80,000 upon the building, exclusive of cases and 

 furniture. 



It has been thought well to give somewhat in detail the action of the Building Com- 

 mittee in the preliminary steps taken to erect the grand structure since occupied by the 

 Society, and in obtaining the necessary means to accomplish its completion. To do any- 

 thing like justice to the devoted service of a most faithful and industrious committee would 

 require a much fuller record of their doings than can be given here. The result of their 

 endeavors to erect a building satisfactory to the Society will be stated further on. Notice 

 must now be taken of other matters of interest concerning the Society that transpired dur- 

 ing the year. 



The Reports of the Treasurer, Librarian and Curators were presented as usual at the 

 annual meeting, and were, considering circumstances, satisfactory. The department of 

 Comparative Anatomy had been enriched by the addition before mentioned of a valuable 



