14 Thirty-sixth Annual Keport of the 



the fact of the long delay in presenting our own publications for the 

 use of scientific workers. 



A pamphlet of more than sixty pages, containing descriptions of a 

 part of these fossils, was published in 1869. The manuscript descrip- 

 tions of the remaining species for the then proposed vol. v, part 1, 

 have long been ready for the press, and were communicated with the 

 Museum report two years since, but up to this time have not yet been 

 printed. 



The collections made in previous years from the Lower Carboniferous 

 limestone of JSpergen Hill, Indiana, and from the Lower Silurian on 

 the shores of Lake Champlain, have been unpacked, cleaned and 

 ticketed; and a large portion of these are repacked in boxes for want 

 of space to arrange them. The remainder are now accessible for the 

 selection of duplicates. 



Distribution of Duplicate Fossils and Minerals. 



Every year shows an increasing number of applications for labeled 

 collections of fossils and minerals. Some of these are outside of the 

 regulations adopted by the Board of Regents for the distribution of 

 collections; but the Director has in many instances felt constrained to 

 listen to such applications, believing that it would inure to the advan- 

 tage of the Museum. In such cases he has made liberal use of his 

 private collections of rocks and iron ores of Northern New York and 

 other localities, from which the State Museumdoes notpossessduplicates. 



In addition to the general distribution above named, there have been 

 sent, by authority of the Regents, a small collection of Oriskany 

 sandstone fossils and a large stump of Psaronius erianus, to McGill 

 College, Montreal, and presented to the Peter Redpath Museum. 



In anticipation of the early removal, to some public building, of 

 the large collections of fossils which have long been in the custody 

 of the State Geologist, a large portion of the drawers containing them, 

 about 1,200 in number, have been carefully examined and in part 

 rearranged, the specimens cleaned, etc. The fossil corals, occupying 

 about 500 close drawers, have been systematically arranged, and are 

 in a cleanly and proper condition for removal at any time. The greater 

 part of the collection is packed in boxes, and these are ready for 

 removal as soon as a proper place shall be provided. 



It is my melancholy duty to record the death of Mr. James A. 

 Hurst, who has for more than thirty years acted as the taxidermist of 

 the State Museum. Nearly all the stuffed specimens of birds and 

 mammals have been mounted by him; and through his care and 

 watchfulness they have remained in very excellent condition. I shall 



