( J^. ) 



UNIVERSITY OF THE STATE OF NEWYORK. 



OFFICE OF THE REGENTS. 



ALBANY, 1864. 



SIR : 



The Regents desire to perfect the State Collections of Natural 

 History, and make them as useful as possible to men of science as 

 well as to the people. They are sensible that the free and zealous 

 co-operation of the naturalists of the State is absolutely necessary 

 to the attainment of these objects. Even with such co-operation, 

 the work must be pursued for years. They respectfully invite you 

 to co-operate with the many men of science, in different portions 

 of the State, who have tendered their assistance. 



The Cabinet does not include all the mammals, nor birds, nor 

 reptiles, nor amphibia, which are natives of the State. It is de- 

 ficient also in the fishes and moUusks, and does not include any- 

 thing which deserves the name of a collection of our insects. 

 The Regents send you imperfect lists of the deficiencies in some 

 of these departments ; and they invite the naturalists of the State 

 to aid these departments, by sending to the Secretary of the 

 Board, at Albany, whatever they may deem new or rare. 



In reference to the preparation of shells for transmission, the 

 animal can be readily removed after a short immersion in boiling 

 water. Reptiles and fishes should be put in common whiskey, and 

 forwarded at once. Mammals and birds, intended to be set up, 

 should never be packed in close boxes : the air should have free 

 access to them. Many animals, intended for the Cabinet, have 

 been rendered worthless by close packing. Mammals are, general- 

 ly, in the best condition for setting up, in November & December. 



[Assem. No. 189.] 2 



