REPORT OF THE DIRECTOR I916 IJ 



of the Geological Society of America, and Dr Rudolf Ruedemann 

 as president of the Paleontological Society. 



The New York State Archeological Association. The activity 

 of the Archeologist of the Museum has resulted in the organiza- 

 tion of a state society devoting itself to the scientific collection of 

 aboriginal relics and the protection of aboriginal monuments. Its 

 fundamental purpose is to prevent, so far as possible, the destruc- 

 tion and scattering of these records as well as the desultory 

 and indifferent preservation of them. Several field meetings of 

 the association have already been held, and one vigorous chapter 

 organized in the city of Rochester. It is planned that other local 

 chapters will be formed as the local interest in archeological 

 studies develops. The relation of the Museum to this association 

 is that of parent organization, and under the present form of 

 organization the State Museum is the authorized headquarters. 

 Doubtless the influence and the benefit of the Museum and the 

 local societies will be mutual and efficient. 



Museum lecture course. The course of free pulDlic lectures 

 was instituted during the winter of last year, all of which were on 

 topics closely related to the activities of the Museum, and all were 

 presented by members of the JMuseum staff. As an illustration of 

 the character of this course, the following Hst of the topics pre- 

 sented is here given : 



1 The State Museum — How to Use It 



2 Diamonds 



3 The Forests of New York State 



4 Lake Albany, Our Present Abode 



5 Man and Insects 



6 How Minerals Are Formed 



7 Mastodons and Elephants of New York 



8 The Empire State of Indian Days 



9 Harmonics and Cross Purposes in the Insect World 



10 Earthquakes of New York 



11 Nature Monuments 



12 Life of the Ancient Seas 



These lectures were well attended, usually to and sometimes 

 beyond the capacity of the IMuseum lecture room. The public 

 interest in them justifies the continuation of this undertaking. 



Dedication of the New York State Museum. Although the 

 New York State ^luseum at Albany has been open to the public 

 for some months past, it seemed wise to the Regents of the Uni- 



