Report of the Director. 7 



Another series of twenty-seven Skeletons of New York Yertebrata, 

 a^ist of which will be found among the additions to the Museum, 

 has lately been received from Prof. Ward. These will prove a very 

 valuable accession to this department of the Museum. 



I am further advised by Prof. Ward, that he has in preparation 

 Skeletons of Elk and Buffalo, which will be added to the Museum 

 during the year. 



I would most earnestly urge upon the Regents the importance of 

 the continuation of the small annual appropriation for the object of 

 completing the collection of Skeletons, now so fairly begun. Those 

 already obtained will soon constitute an attractive and very instruc- 

 tive series. ^ 



Additions to the Geological and Palcwntological Collections ly 



purchase. 



From Prof. James Or ton, 1,200 fossil shells from the Tertiary 

 beds of the Upper Amazon. 



A collection of 151 specimens of fossil plants, principally Ferns, 

 occurring in concretions in the coal measures of Morris, Illinois. 



The Gebhard Collection. — The Legislature, by an appropriation of 

 $3,500, chapter 715 of the Laws of 1871, directed the purchase of the 

 entire collection of John Gebhard, Jr., of Schoharie, upon the condi- 

 tion that a committee of three persons named, should certify to its 

 value and importance for the State Museum. 



An examination was made according to this requirement, and a 

 certificate, with a general schedule of the nature and contents of the 

 collection, was furnished to the Comptroller, who then authorized 

 the purchase. The collection was delivered at the State Museum on 

 the 4th day of December last. 



This collection embraces large numbers of fossils from the forma- 

 tions in the neighborhood of Schoharie, many of which are desirable 

 for the State Museum, and the remainder may be used in exchange, 

 or for supplying such institutions of learning as the. Regents may 

 direct. For further information, I append a copy of the schedule 

 communicated to the Comptroller, with a memorandum of the boxes 

 and packages delivered at the Museum. 



I reported last year the purchase of a collection of fossils and 

 minerals from Col. E. Jewett, and a collection of valuable minerals, 

 mostly crystals, formerly a part of the cabinet of the late Dr. E. 

 Emmons. These collections were acquired by money* advanced by 



