240 HISTORICAL SKETCH OF THE 



As to what it is now doing. It is engaged, through the constant and arduous work of 

 the assistants in the Museum, in perfecting the work that has been going on for several 

 years, of rearranging, placing upon tablets, rebottling and relabelling the specimens 

 according to their several needs in all the departments, and in exerting proper means for 

 their preservation. None but those engaged in such work can understand the labor and 

 the watchfulness constantly required to prevent injury through many causes, but more 

 particularly through the destructive action of vermin, and from the evaporation of liquids 

 in which thousands of specimens are immersed. The modern cases, it is true, are gen- 

 erally secure from the admission of pests, but frequent examination of their contents is 

 not less necessary. The opening of a door for a moment may sometimes admit an anthre- 

 nus, the progeny of which it may require weeks to eradicate. Constant vigilance can 

 only preserve the perishable portion of natural history collections from ruin. 



It is striving constantly to render its collections more educational, not only by such 

 arrangement as will facilitate their study, but by models and anatomical preparations giv- 

 ing the internal structure and showing the habits of animals. 



o 



It holds meetings on the first and third Wednesday evenings of each month, except 

 during the warm season, at which scientific communications, either written or verbal, are 

 made by members, followed often by discussions upon the matter presented. All important 

 communications and remarks are published in the Memoirs or Proceedings of the 

 Society, together with any business transacted. Besides the general meetings there are 

 others held of such sections as may be active. There have been three, those of entomol- 

 ogy, microscopy and botany, but only one of these, that of entomology, can be said to 

 exist at present, otherwise than nominally. 



In its Laboratory it is doing much for those who seek knowledge in natural history. 

 Instruction is given to a class of the students of the Boston University in Biology and 

 Zoology ; to a class of the students of the Institute of Technology in Zoology and Pa- 

 laeontology ; and to a special class of teachers of the Public Schools in Zoology. The 

 laboratory room and the working collections therein are used also by other persons 

 engaged in teaching or studying. The accommodations of the room are inadequate for 

 all who give and seek instruction, not affording proper conveniences for either. About 

 seventy persons now make use of it. 



Respecting the very important educational work the Society has done through the 

 Teachers' School of Science, it is a matter of great regret that lack of means pre- 

 vented its continuance through the past winter. The maintenance of this has hitherto 

 entirely depended on contributions from individuals who, recognizing the great benefits 

 arising from the instruction of teachers, have voluntarily proffered aid. Whilst, therefore, 

 it cannot be said that just at the present period the Society is carrying on this work, it 

 may nevertheless, soon be the case, as it stands ready with its unequalled facilities to 

 recommence the courses of instruction whenever it can have the necessary help. 1 



1 Since the period at which the historical sketch closes, tinuance of the Teachers' School of Science (luring the fol- 

 two ladies of Boston, to whom the city owes much, Mrs. lowing season. Several courses of lessons to the teachers of 

 Quincy A. Shaw and Mrs. Augustus Heuieuway, with unso- the Public Schools are, therefore, being given at tbe time 

 licited generosity, tendered the necessary means for the con- of the publication of this volume. 



