EEPORT. 



TO THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW-YORK. 



The Regents of the University 



Respectpullt Report : 



That during the year just endedj a number of valuable additions 

 have been madC) and particularly in the zoological department. 

 Several animals and birds, comparatively rare, have been pro- 

 cured, and the other divisions under this class are generally 

 completing. 



The catalogues herewith presented will more fully explain 

 what has been received^ either by purchase or donation, in the 

 State Cabinet or the Historical and Antiquarian Collection.., 



The principal acquisition, however;, of the past year, has been 

 the collection of the fossils of the State of New- York, owned by 

 Mr. John Gebhard junior. The Regents have applied the extra 

 appropriation made at the last session j and designed for that 

 purpose-, towards its purchase. In this way otily could a perfect 

 series of the fossils within this State be obtained at present ; and 

 their possession was further needed, as a guide as well as an 

 explanation to the publication on this subject now in progress. 



The papers aeeompaiiyiiig this report wiU give st^nije idea o| the 

 extent and value of the collection. 



The object of the establishment of the State Cabinet of Natural 

 History was to gather, in one place, specimens of our animal, 

 vegetable, and mineral products. To this was subsequently added 

 a museum of the antiquities of the State, particularly in reference 

 to the Indian race. With views thus defined and limited, the 

 Regents may be permitted to look back, and compare the present 

 condition of the museum with that when they first took charge 

 of it six years since. 



