232 Staten Island Association of Arts and Sciences 



Every effort has been made to maintain our little collection of live 

 animals ; but the facilities at our disposal for their proper care are not 

 such as are required for satisfactory results. The coati succumbed to 

 pneumonia and the sparrow hawk was killed by a vagrant cat. These two 

 animals had become perfectly tame and were a constant source of attrac- 

 tion' and interest, not only to the children but also to our adult visitors. 

 The guinea pigs, however, appear to be adaptable to our museum condi- 

 tions, and so also do the land and water trirtles. 



Our aquaria have been kept stocked with aquatic plants and a variety 

 of animal life, which has been changed from time to time as specimens of 

 local material could be collected. 



The constant aim of the museum staff has been to provide as great a 

 diversity as possible in the exhibits and to note those in which visitors 

 appear to evince the greatest interest, in order that these may be specially 

 featured and provided for. 



Facilities for Study and Research 



If we had adequate space and other facilities for study and research 

 work, such as most museums and libraries possess, there is no question 

 but that many more people than now do so would take advantage of the 

 opportunity to consult our collections and our books, maps, documents, etc. 



High-school student^, have made good use of our local ornithological, 

 entomological and geological collections in connection with their school 

 work, and the herbarium has been consulted to a limited extent. The 

 local historical material contained in the library is constantly consulted, 

 not only by Staten Islanders but also by visitors from other localities who 

 have heard of the wealth of this material which we have accumulated ; 

 and certain of our natural history specimens have been utilized as subjects 

 for sketches, sculpture and color effects by artists and others. We have 

 no place, however, where such studies may be prosecuted under the condi- 

 tions of privacj' and quietude necessary for serious and satisfactory work. 



One of the most interesting features that developed spontaneously dur- 

 ing the year was a request for space for a studj' collection, from certain 

 boys who have been accustomed to bring minerals, shells, etc., to the 

 museum for identification. In order to encourage them a small room in 

 the Annex was assigned for the purpose and they were given elementary 

 instruction in arranging, identifying, labeling, and cataloging specimens. 

 They were also encouraged to organize and to manage their own affairs, 

 with occasional advice and suggestions from the director when deemed 

 necessary. They have held meetings and elected officers, and the latter are 

 held responsible for good order on the premises. This is certainly a 

 gratifying indication of the wholesome influence of our museum on the 

 youthful members of our community, and every effort should be made to 

 provide suitable quarters and equipment for this or any other similar 

 movement that may develop through them. 



