85 



All the work of removing the books to the new library hall, as well 

 as the cataloguing, has been done under the direction of the President. 

 The ample space appropriated for the department of newspapers, 

 documents, miscellaneous pamphlets, and manuscripts, will admit of 

 an arrangement that will greatly facilitate reference- and consultation. 



The CURATOR in charge of the Herbarium reports that on the 17th 

 of March, 18G8, he began the work of examining and re-arranging the 

 specimens of plants in the possession of the Institute. 



Attention was first given to the plants of Essex County. Selected 

 Essex specimens were mounted on fine white herbarium paper, in the 

 manner adopted by the Boston and Cambridge Institutions. 



The work on Essex plants now stands as follows. The whole are 

 sorted and mounted ; about two-thirds of them have the Academy label 

 on them. The Polypetalous orders, being the first forty-eight fami- 

 lies, from the Crowfoots to the Cornels, are finished and wrapped, 

 ready for the shelves. These are also entered in the first, or num- 

 bered catalogue, which is kept up regulai'ly as the sheets are labeled. 

 This finished portion includes one hundred and sixty-two sheets. 

 The part not labeled takes in the lowest orders, from the grasses ^and 

 carices, downwards. * 



In the autumn of 1868, attention was given to the dry specimens in 

 the Marine Hall, such as cones, and other fruits, seeds, woods, etc. 

 These were very numerous, and were not arranged until after many 

 weeks' labor. 



A full examination of all foreign specimens was made. This part 

 of the work was largely extended by the receipt of a very consider- 

 able collection from Professor D. S. Sheldon, of Iowa. 



Every plant known to be in possession of the Institute has been 

 thus examined, and left, if not correctly arranged, at least in safe and 

 good condition. 



The TREASURER presented the following statement of the financial 

 condition for the year ending May, 1869. 



GENERAL ACCOUNT. 



Debits. 



Athenaeum ; Kent, half Fuel, etc _ . $429 50 



Publications, $1619 39; Salaries, $672; Gas, $7 60 . 2298 99 



Repairs and fixtures, $275 02 ; Sundries, $66 58 . . . 341 60 

 Lectures and Social Meeting, close of previous year > t V"< 432 17 



Historical Department 24 12 



Balance Account ,-.'-, 95 30 



. $3621 68 



