Annual Reports 187 



of the Billopp house. Northwest hall, three cases containing the Chapin 

 collection of local birds, and the two finely mounted owls recently pre- 

 sented by Mr. Charles Benedict; one case with eggs and nests of birds 

 known to breed on Staten Island; one case of local reptiles and batra- 

 chians; one case of marine invertebrates; one case illustrating the life 

 history of the periodical cicada; a large brood of which is due to appear 

 on the island in the summer of iQii; and a fine collection of bird photo- 

 graphs by Mr. Howard H. Cleaves. 



Second floor: Main hall, the large mounted eagle. Southeast hall, two 

 cases of exotic shells ; one case of exotic birds, and one case each devoted 

 to animal weapons, insect architecture, and protective resemblance. On 

 the walls are displayed a number of exotic butterflies of the genus Papilio. 

 Northwest hall, two cases containing a general collection of ores and 

 minerals; one case of German agates; three cases devoted to Staten Island 

 geology; and numerous maps of the island. 



There has been only one loan exhibit during the year installed by the 

 committee of the Section of Art. This was of unusual interest and 

 included antique silver jewelry and watches, old fashioned combs, fans, 

 and other objects. It was placed on view in October and remained until 

 the removal to our present building, where it was succeeded by a collec- 

 tion illustrating African ethnology, lent by Mr. and Mrs. George S. 

 Humphrey. 



Attendance 



The total attendance during the year has been 4,888 as against 4,992 

 last j'ear. On account of the removal, however, these figures are not 

 strictly comparable. For the period, slightly in excess of nine months, 

 during which we were in Borough Hall, the attendance was 3,297, as 

 against 4,002 for the same months during the previous year. But the 

 Hudson-Fulton celebration was responsible for a very large attendance in 

 the fall months of 1909, while on the other hand, the number of visitors 

 last January and February was greatly in excess of those in January and 

 February, 1910, even though the IMuseum was partly dismantled and 

 ready to close. 



The April attendance in the new building was very gratifying, being 



914 as against only 305 last year. With the approach of fine weather and 



the school examination, the May record has fallen ofif, as might be 



expected. The highest number of visitors, 133, was on May 15, when 



several classes were brought from Curtis High School by their instructor, 



Dr. A. J. Grout. 



Accessions 



The following table of accessions shows a total of 9,786 specimens, as 

 against 7,370 last year. These figures are not quite exact, as an accurate 

 count of some of the collections received cannot be made until they are 

 catalogued. While the proportion of insects seems unduly large, it must 

 be remembered that this group includes an enormous number of species, 



