6 Twenty-fourth Report on the State Museum. 



species thus added are many rare and interesting forms, some of 

 which are new to the State, and, among the lichens and fungi, seve- 

 ral species new to science. 



The special report of Mr. Peck, in this department, will indicate 

 \the large additions made on his part, and supersede the necessity of 

 further detail in this place. 



In the Greological and Mineralogical Departments, we have the 

 names of twenty-five contributors, and among the collections thus 

 acquired are some of much interest and importance. Large accessions 

 have likewise been made by the collections of the Director and 

 Assistants. 



To the Department of Archaeology and Ethnology there are four 

 contributors, and the purchase of the Simms collection, by the Legis- 

 lature, has added largely to these collections. 



To the Library, donations have been received from nine indi- 

 viduals and societies, and this fact deserves remark, since at least one 

 thousand copies of the annual report of the Museum are distributed 

 to individuals, libraries, scientific societies and institutions of learning. 



Some additions have been made to the departments of Palaeonto- 

 logy and Conchology, by exchanges, as will be seen by the schedules 

 attached. 



The general collections of the Museum have been greatly increased 

 during the past year, as will appear from the following brief 

 summary. 



Purchase of the Simms Collection. 



The Legislature of the State, by an appropriation of $5,000,* autho- 

 rized the purchase of the collection of Mr. Jephtha R. Simms, of Fort 

 Plain, ISr. y., consisting of objects of natural history, historical relics, 

 coins, tokens, etc. 



Of this collection the Ethnological department will receive addi- 

 tions indicated, in the catalogue submitted by Mr. Simms, under 236 

 numbers: the department of Palaeontology, 204 numbers, and the 

 Mineralogical department, 410 numbers. 



The gold and silver coins of the collection were not received at the 

 State Museum, but were taken to the office of the Secretary of State 

 for examination. A box (No. 11) said to contain the copper coins, 

 tokens, colonial and continental currency, private or corporation 



* Chapter 492 of the Laws of 1870, 



