28 SiouT City Academy of Science and Letters. 



on exhibition at the world's fair at St. Louis and is now 

 in the collection of the State University at Iowa City. 

 Our cases also contain many specimens of the work of 

 the natives of the Sandwich Islands. 



Of recent specimens, the most beautiful and varied 

 in shape and color are probably the sea shells and corals. 

 Of these we have a fine lot from all over the world. 



And now, after having very briefly described a small 

 part of what we have in our collection, our wants in this 

 direction may be spoken of. We have just moved the 

 whole collection from Morningside College, where we 

 have had it for the last two years, down to the Library 

 Building, where we have been given quarters. The room 

 we have, while much too small for the proper exhibition 

 of our museum material, is much better than the one we 

 had before. Our great need is, first, for a larger and 

 better lighted room. Then more floor cases can be made, 

 which are very much needed, as those we have are 

 crowded so full as to prevent proper labelling of speci- 

 mens. We would gladly receive and preserve all kinds 

 of specimens illustrating natural history, archeology, 

 ethnology, paleontology or mineralogy. We also desire 

 very much life size protraits of old settlers of this city 

 and vicinity. With increased room and small financial 

 help we could easily build up a museum that w^ould be 

 worthy of the pride of all our citizens. 



Perhaps many will ask Avhal use we can make of this 

 collection, what it is good for, etc. Now such questions 

 as these are entirely reasonable and I am glad to answer 

 them before they are asked. First, the use of all we 

 have is freely offered to the public. Our room will be 

 open to visitors at least two afternoons in each week, 

 when all who may come will be welcomed and show^ 

 what we have. The Curator will be present and will 

 gladly show and explain, as far as he is able, all of our 

 collection. Then arrangements will be made for the 

 pupils of our public schools to visit and study any part 

 of this collection. We hope to make this part of our work 

 of value to our young citizens in their school work. In 

 short, all we have will be for the free use of the public 

 Avho will always be most cordially welcomed by those 

 in charge of this collection. 



