BOSTON SOCIETY OF NATURAL HISTORY. 141 



of Fishes and Reptiles, taking N. E. Atwood's place on the latter ; and J. Elliot Cabot 

 was chosen one of the Committee on Ornithology. 



It was decided to change the Janitor's room from the north-west corner of the base- 

 ment to the south-west corner, at an expense of $1500, it having been found that 

 from lack of sunshine in the apartments, the health of members of his family had been 

 seriously impaired. 



Under the new condition of affairs inaugurated by the election of Mr. Hyatt as Cus- 

 todian, certain changes were desirable in the Regulations and By-Laws. The Librarian, 

 besides such duties as defined hitherto, was given the sole direction of the Janitor so far as 

 related to work expected of him in the delivery of publications, care of office, lecture 

 room, &c. He was also to have sole charge of the assistants in the Library. The office 

 hours were fixed at from 9 A. M., until the closing of the Library in the afternoon, ex- 

 cept an intermission not exceeding two hours at noon. A vacation of two months was 

 allowed him during the year. 



The Custodian, in addition to duties defined in By-laws, was to have the immediate 

 charge of the Museum, and the sole direction of the assistants employed there. Also the 

 sole direction of the Janitor, excepting in such duties as are mentioned in the authority 

 given the Librarian over him. He was empowered to decide in all cases relative to the 

 arrangement, care or use of the collections not otherwise specially provided for, and his 

 decision was to be binding, unless overruled by the Council. When any department suf- 

 fered by neglect or other cause, he was authorized to take charge of it and report to the 

 Council. He was required to prepare a report as early as possible on the state of the Mu- 

 seum, and a plan for the definite arrangement of the collection, so as to best illustrate what 

 the Society had in view by the formation of its Museum. He was required to give twenty- 

 four hours each week at least, of undivided attention to the Museum; six hours each 

 for four days, or eight hours each for three days. A vacation of two months was granted 

 him. 



The Assistant in the Museum was authorized to act for the Custodian in his absence. A 

 vacation of six weeks was allowed him, the time to be fixed by the Custodian. 



The Assistant in the Library was required to act for the Librarian in his absence. 

 Her attendance was fixed at seven hours per day. She was to be allowed six weeks 

 vacation during the year, the time to be appointed by the Librarian. 



It was understood that an appeal might be made to the Council on the part of any one 

 employed who felt aggrieved. 



At a meeting of the Society on the 1st of June, a Committee was appointed, consisting 

 of five members, to present a candidate for the office of President at the next meeting. 

 Mr. Edward Pickering, Dr. C. F. Winslow, Mr. Chas. J. Sprague, Mr. R. C. Greenleaf and 

 Mr. William H. Niles composed this Committee. 



At the next meeting, held on the 25th of June, Mr. Edward Pickering, the chairman, 

 reported that the name that first suggested itself to the Committee was that of the First 

 Vice-President, Dr. Charles T. Jackson, one of the earliest, most constant and devoted of 

 the friends of the Society. Upon his unwearying interest in its welfare, his liberal contri- 

 butions to its treasures, his courtesy as a presiding officer, his well known scientific attain- 

 ments, it was not necessary to enlarge. But the reception of the following letter pre- 

 vented the Committee from offering his name as a candidate. 



