The Chicago Academy of Sciences. 19 



tions for the museum and library, the board of trustees 

 decided to fit up the old quarters, in the repaired build- 

 ing, only for temporary use. They repaired the old wall 

 cases and caused to be constructed several new cases 

 for the storage of specimens. The room was put in 

 order for taxidermy and for the arranging and labeling 

 of specimens as they were received. But little attempt 

 was made to prepare exhibitions for the public, and only 

 a few additional cases for this purpose were provided. 



On July 20, 1866, the board of trustees purchased 

 from the Catholic bishop of Chicago a lot with frontage 

 of fifty-five feet on Wabash avenue. This lot was 

 north of Van Buren street, and included Nos. 263 and 

 265. A brick dwelling was situated on the south forty 

 feet of this lot. This building the board repaired, and 

 raising the roof they added another story. This struc- 

 ture was soon rented for a term of five years at an 

 annual rental of $3,000. The portion of the lot not 

 occupied by the building was reserved. Upon the rear 

 of this it was the intention to eventually erect a fire- 

 proof building which should contain exhibition, library 

 and work rooms and a suitable hall for the meetings 

 of the Academy and for lectures. The selection of this 

 central site for its future home was pleasing to all the 

 members of the Academy. 



The question of location having been settled, the 

 board of trustees deemed it unwise longer to retain the 

 property formerly purchased on Thirtieth street, and 

 they therefore placed it in the market. In October, 

 1866, it was sold at a handsome advance over the pur- 

 chase price, one-half to Mr. John W. Foss, and the 

 remainder to Mr. Reuben P. Lay ton. 



In the year 1867, at the request of the officers of 

 the Smithsonian Institution, the Academy joined with 

 them in sending Mr. Ferdinand Bishoff on an exploring 

 expedition, for the purpose of conducting zoological 

 investigations along the shores of the northern Pacific 

 ocean, and of collecting specimens. The Academy was 



