ADDRESS. 



Members of the Academy, and Ladies and Gentlemen : 



To-night we pass another mile-stone in the history of our insti- 

 tution. It seems appropriate that as we enter upon the new year, 

 a brief review be taken of that just closed. 



According to the provisions of our constitution, the work of the 

 Academy is twofold the collecting of objects of natural history 

 and of scientific interest in the Museum, and the study and devel- 

 opment of scientific knowledge by means of the essays and discus- 

 sions at the monthly meetings the Library being a necessary aid 

 in each of these departments. 



What has the year 1877 accomplished for the Academy in these 

 directions ? The report just read by our Secretary presents quite 

 fully the good work which has been done in connection with our 

 MUSEUM during the past year. Its results in the number and the 

 variety of the additions made, are gratifying. In the present incom- 

 plete condition of our museum catalogue, it is not possible to state 

 with accuracy the number of specimens we possess. We are safe, 

 however, in placing the number as follows : 



MAMMALS 66 



BIRDS Mounted -. 765 



Skins i,34O 



2,105 



OOLOGY Eggs 1,800 



Nests 75 



1,875 



FISHES 177 



REPTILES 51 



CRUSTACEANS 50 



CORALS 300 



SHELLS 15,000 



INSECTS 6,000 



SKELETONS 5 



CASTS 150 



BOTANICAL SPECIMENS 2,300 



MlNERALOGICAL SPECIMENS 5OO 



PALEONTOLOGICAL " 1,200 



ARCHAEOLOGICAL 270 



Total number of specimens 30,049 



