20 Thirty-seventh Annual Eeport of the 



The collections of birds and mammals, formerly in charge of the 

 Taxidermist, Mr. James A. Hurst, have, since the death of the latter, 

 been placed in charge of Dr. J. W. Hall, assistant in the museum, 

 who, for the past two years, has had entire charge of these collections. 

 During the past month these collections have been removed from their 

 cases, carefully cleaned and examined, and replaced in the cases in 

 good order, and are all reported 'as entirely free from injurious in- 

 sects. The skeletons of birds, fish and mammals have likewise re- 

 ceived the proper treatment for their preservation and have been 

 replaced in their proper cases. The alcoholic collections have also 

 been critically examined, the jars refilled, and the whole restored to 

 the cases in proper order. 



Since the date of my last report the mineralogical collection has 

 been removed from the shelves, the specimens and cases cleaned, and 

 the minerals returned to their places. The geological collection in 

 the wall cases has been likewise removed and properly cleaned and re- 

 turned to their places. The catalogue of the mineralogical collection 

 has been completed and will accompany this report. 



The cleaning and rearrangement of this part of the museum col- 

 lection has more clearly revealed the fact, which we knew before, that 

 the collection of minerals, in its representation of New York localities, 

 is far behind the discoveries of later years, and imperatively requires 

 attention. I would recommend that some attention be given to im- 

 proving this department of the collection. This can be most readily 

 and economically done by the purchase of collections at the localities, 

 or the employment of some person living on the ground where these 

 minerals have been discovered and who will obtain them for a much 

 less cost than can be done by sending collectors into the field. 



The additions to the museum collections made during the year 

 1883 will be found recorded in detail in the lists appended. 



In the botanical department specimens have been received from 

 seven contributors. 



In the collections of zoology and ethnology additions are recorded 

 from eight contributors, and there are three contributors to miscel- 

 laneous collections. 



To the collections of geology, mineralogy and palaeontology speci- 

 mens have been received from eleven contributors. 



The library has received from all sources one hundred volumes and 

 pamphlets ; of these, six have been purchased. 



Collections in the Field. 



During the spring of 1883, the excavations made in cutting the 

 West Shore railroad through the Utica and Hudson river slates at a 

 point about three -miles below Albany enabled the museum to secure a 

 large collection of graptolites from these beds. The collection em- 

 braces several thousand specimens, and many of these are large slabs 

 covered with these organisms. The black slates of this locality have 

 conserved the organic remains in an unusual condition of perfection, 

 compared with most of the localities of the slates in the Hudson valley. 

 From this abundant and well-preserved material there may be ob- 



