REPORT OF THE DIRECTOR I9I3 29 



PROGRESS OF INSTALLATION 



As already intimated, the equipment of the collections has been 

 in a measure restrained by the progressive completion of the cases. 

 Those finished first were filled first; those which have just been 

 completed are still vacant. The progress of this work has also 

 depended in some measure on the condition of the collections. Some 

 which had been on exhibition years before had been packed away 

 in an orderly manner and judiciously selected. Others had to be 

 taken over just as they had lain in storage for many years. The sum 

 of the material assembled in all departments of work was very 

 large; taken as a whole and, as was necessary, all at once, it was 

 well-nigh overwhelming. Preliminary to any attempt at installa- 

 tion was the necessity of assorting these materials according to 

 kind and quality and the selection of representative series of the 

 best from the great preponderance of the second best. Con- 

 fronted by these conditions the work of installation has proceeded 

 well. 



Mineralogy. The collections in mineralogy were removed from 

 Geological Hall many years ago and put in storage. In dismantling 

 the old collections everything was packed in carefully arranged 

 consecutive order, so that on reopening these collections were in 

 approximate readiness for installation. Having an advantage in 

 this foresight, as well as in the fact that the mineral cases were 

 the first to be completed, the curator, Mr Whitlock, has brought an 

 effective installation nearly to completion. The general mineral col- 

 lections and the collection of New York State minerals now occupy 

 78 cases at the west end of the long south hall, and it is quite 

 probable that this section of the Museum may be opened to the 

 public within a reasonably short time. 



Geology. In illustrations of economic and structural geology the 

 collections have proved quite deficient and every earnest effort has 

 been made to acquire such and replenish the losses to the Museum 

 arising from too lavish gifts to other institutions of displays made 

 by the State Museum at various world fairs. 



These efforts are bringing together the necessary materials for 

 instructive exhibits, relating in large measure to the most active 

 lines of mineral production in the State, but many serious problems 

 in this section are still unsolved, and in some respects the case room 

 is inadequate, the general treatment of Geology Hall is still in- 

 effective and somber and much remains to be accomplished before 

 the room can be exposed to the public. The work, in charge of Mr 



