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ventilating apparatus, to make the acceptance of the work 
desirable. 
We have used several rooms of the Museum in a temporary 
way, the first specimens and books having been placed in 
one of the dark rooms upon the third floor, on August 15th, 
and portions of the Garden Herbarium were shelved in the 
Herbarium room, at the east end of the third floor, early in 
September. The transportation of the Herbarium of Columbia 
University to the new Herbarium room was begun on Sep- 
tember 15th, and has been carried on at intervals since that 
time by means of our own teams and laborers, as opportunity 
afforded. Jt is now nearly completely installed, there re- 
maining only a few boxes of specimens at the University. 
The Library room was first occupied on December 6th, and 
the moving of the Botanical Library of Columbia University 
into it was begun December 2oth, and is now practically com- 
pleted. The setting of the furniture in the laboratories was 
accomplished early in December, and the work of placing the 
instrumental equipment is now in progress. We have also 
occupied four of the basement rooms for storage. The cases 
in the Public Museum Halls are ready to receive specimens, 
and this work of installation may be begun within a few 
days. The lecture hall in the basement is quite ready for 
use whenever needed. 
A supplementary contract for the construction of the Front 
Central Portico, amounting to $12,875, was awarded by the 
Commissioners of Parks to the John H. Parker Company, 
in July; work was begun under this contract immediately 
thereafter. This portico was completed in October, and 
accepted by the architect; it adds greatly to the appearance 
of the building. 
Plans prepared by Mr. Gibson for some further ornamen- 
tation of the end pavilions of the Museum have been accepted 
by the Board of Managers, and Mr. Gibson has obtained 
some estimates of the expense which would be incurred in 
carrying them out, but he has concluded that it will be ad- 
vantageous to defer this work for the present. 
