92 Staten Island Association of Arts and Sciences 



Part II, Volume II, of the Proceedings (Februar3'-Ma3-, 1908, in- 

 clusive) was issued September 30, 1909. 



Copy for parts III and IV (July 1908-May 1909, inclusive) has been 

 in the hands of the printer since March 22. Previous to that time the 

 manuscript was withheld on account of financial reasons. Hence these 

 parts are much behind time. A communication has been transmitted to 

 the printers urging that the matter receive immediate attention, and it is 

 hoped that during the coming year the improved financial condition of 

 the Association will enable us once more to bring the publication of the 

 Proceedings up to date. 



Philip Dowell, Chairman, 

 William T. Davis, 

 Arthur Hollick. 



Annual Report of the Curator-in-chief 

 To the Board of Trustees, 



Staten Island Association of Arts and Sciences. 



Gentlemen: I have the honor to submit herewith my third annual report 

 as Curator-in-chief, for the fiscal year ending May 21, 1910. 



The museum during this period has made progress in several different 

 directions. From the experience gained by observation of the needs of 

 our public it has been possible to strengthen and permanently establish 

 certain activities that were undertaken experimentally in the first year of 

 the museum's existence. Other lines of effort have been discontinued 

 temporarily until better opportunities for their development shall be 

 aflforded. It has been our constant endeavor to keep in touch with the 

 opinions expressed by visitors to the museum, and to formulate a policj", 

 in relation to exhibits, that will be of the greatest benefit to the greatest 

 number. On account of the closer familiarity with the museum gained 

 during the year by members of the Association, the staff has frequently 

 profited by their advice and counsel. 



The acquisition of new material, both for the study and exhibition 

 series, has continued to a gratifying degree. A large proportion of the 

 accessions have naturally been direct gifts to the museum ; but many 

 exchanges have been made with other institutions, and some of our most 

 valued specimens have been received in this way. Certain collections made 

 by members of the museum staff have been important both in filling gaps 

 in the series and in providing us with duplicates for exchange. 



With the alteration in exhibits which has been necessary from time to 

 time in order to meet social requirements or to stimulate public interest, 

 there has been steady progress toward a proper separation of the various 

 departments and an equable assignment of space to each. Owing to the 

 limited space we are aften obliged to feature the exhibits of one class to 

 the exclusion of others; but an effort is constantly made to preserve a 



