8 {Senate 



While the board to whom its construction was committed, un- 

 doubtedly intended to provide for the best scientific arrange- 

 ment of the large collections which the State has at great expense 

 caused to be made; it is found that such an arrrangement is 

 quite impracticable with the present construction of a portion of 

 the interior of the building. 



What New-York has done in exploring its Geological structure, 

 and in classifying and naming its rocks, has given the State an 

 aulihority and character, in this department of science, which is 

 acknowledged wherever the science is cultivated. The object of 

 the collection is to exhibit on the floor of the room, by rocks and 

 fossils gathered from every formation, their relative position in 

 the order of real place. The collection will be almost worthless 

 if otherwise exhibited; for it will not represent nature and truth. 

 Under this condition of things, the Regents have not felt war- 

 ranted in directing the arrangement of the collections in the 

 building as now constructed. They have chosen to state the facts 

 to the Legislature, rather than to attempt to do what they are' 

 confident would soon be directed to be undone ; and to ask such 

 an appropriation as will enable them to adapt the interior of the 

 building to the purposes designed, and to erect the necessary 

 eases for the preservation and proper exhibition of the collections, 

 thus making such a display of the Natural resources of the State 

 as will be a source of just pride to its citizens. 



By Order of the Regents. 



G. Y. LANSING, Chancellor. 



S. B. WOOL WORTH, Secretary. 



