Vol. IX] GRUNSKY— PRESIDENT'S REPORT FOR 1919 363 



In the matter of the bequest to the Academy of a tract of land 

 of 247 acres near Santa Cruz by the late S. F. Thorn, which 

 was referred to in the President's last annual report, it should 

 be noted, that objection was made by some of the heirs to the 

 probating of the will. The superior court allowed the probat- 

 ing of the will and on appeal this action was sustained by the 

 Supreme Court. It appears, therefore, that the Academy will 

 get this property and possibly something more, the Academy 

 having been named residuary legatee in the will. The ap- 

 praisers of the estate have found property Which they valued at 

 about $29,200 including the land near Santa Cruz which is 

 listed in the appraisal at $6500. 



Near the close of the year 1919 a distribution of the $250,000 

 bequeathed by Ignatz Steinhart to the Academy for the erec- 

 tion of an aquarium in Golden Gate Park was ordered by the 

 court, and Dr. Evemiann and Civil Engineer Trygve Ronne- 

 berg, representing Architect Lewis P. Hobart, as soon there- 

 after as practical, left for the East to inspect the aquariums of 

 Detroit, Washington, New York, Philadelphia, Boston, and 

 Miami in order that the experiences at these might accrue to our 

 benefit. Of the results of this trip Dr. Evermann will speak 

 in his report as Director of the Museum. It is estimated that 

 about a year and a half will be required to perfect the plans and 

 erect the aquarium building. 



It gives me particular pleasure to make a record at this time 

 of the completion of the Olympic or Roosevelt Elk group, 

 which was opened to public view on January 1, 1920. The ex- 

 cellence of the material which was made available for this 

 group and its artistic setting, must, we feel sure, be a source of 

 gratification and pleasure to the generous donor of this group, 

 Mr. William C. Van Antwerp. The Academy, on behalf of 

 the public for w*hose benefit such installations are made, desires 

 to thank Mr. Van Antwerp for having made this habitat group 

 possible. The grouping and mounting of the animals by Mr. 

 Paul J. Fair conform to the standards already set by the Acad- 

 emy and are receiving much favorable comment; so, too, the 

 high quality of the work of Capt. Charles B. Hudson, who 

 painted the background. 



The last of the spaces reserved for seals \Vas filled during the 

 year by the completion of a Fur-Seal group showing a rookery 



