198 DIRECTORY OF AMERICAN MUSEUMS 



published since 1825; photographs of the originals of earlier maps; 

 many United States geological survey charts. 



GEOLOGY. Minerals, on exhibition, 150, in storage, 25oo; 

 Rocks, on exhibition, 300, in storage, 2ooo ; Relief maps, models, 

 etc., 20. This department includes a very complete series illustrating 

 the petrography and stratigraphy of Staten Island; also the Sanderson 

 Smith and the F. Hollick collections of minerals. 



HISTORY. Many old documents, books, relics, coins, etc., re- 

 lating to the early history of Staten Island and vicinity. 



PALEONTOLOGY. Invertebrates, on exhibition, 100, in storage, 

 250; Plants, on exhibition, 50, in storage, 400, types and figured speci- 

 mens, 14. 



ZOOLOGY. Shells, on exhibition, 260, in storage, 22oo; Insects, 

 on exhibition, 750, in storage, 35oo; Other invertebrates, on exhibi- 

 tion, 40, in storage, 175; Fishes, 5; Batrachians, on exhibition, 24, 

 in storage, no; Reptiles, on exhibition, 50, in storage, 300; Birds, on 

 exhibition, 346, in storage, 50; Mammals, on exhibition, 5, in storage, 

 ii. There are also exhibition series illustrating variation, mimicry, 

 etc., and insect architecture, marine life, and special characteristics of 

 bird eggs. 



HISTORICAL SKETCH. The Staten Island Association of Arts and 

 Sciences was incorporated in 1905 as the successor of the Natural 

 Science Association of Staten Island. The charter authorized the 

 city of New York to furnish quarters and to make an annual appro- 

 priation for maintenance not exceeding $10,000. In 1907 the large 

 library room in Borough Hall was assigned to the association for mus- 

 eum purposes and the following year $4000 was appropriated for 

 equipment. The museum was opened to the public May 23, 1908, the 

 association providing the means for carrying on the work during the 

 remainder of that year. 



FINANCIAL SUPPORT. The museum receives an optional appro- 

 priation from New York City which amounted in 1909 to $4000. This 

 sum was devoted to the salaries of officials. About $900 is received 

 annually from memberships and about $50 from sale of publications. 

 Life membership dues of $50 are applied to a permanent fund; active 

 membership dues at $3 a year are expended for publication of the 

 Proceedings, subscriptions to periodicals, purchase of books, and 

 general administrative expenses. 



BUILDING. The dty gives free use of a room on the third floor 

 of the borough building with light, heat, and janitor service. 



ADMINISTRATION. By a curator-in-chief, responsible to a board 



