REPORT 



To the Honorable the Legislature of the State of New York : 



The Regents of the University, as Trustees of the State Museum of Natural 

 History, respectfully submit this their Thirty-first Annual Report : 



The reports of the Director and of the Botanist, hereto appended, exhibit the 

 condition of the Museum and the work of the year. In the department of 

 Paleontology large collections have been made, principally of the corals. 



The work of preparing sections of fossils for exhibiting their internal struc- 

 ture has been very successfully prosecuted. These sections, made very thin, 

 may be photographed, and, by the stereopticon, shown on a screen in very im- 

 pressive forms. It is believed that the success of this work in the Museum is 

 more positive than had been elsewhere secured. 



The arrangement of the collections in nearly all the departments has been 

 perfected, and it is believed to be all that can be desired for the purposes of 

 study. 



Attention is specially called to the importance of printing the reports on the 

 Museum soon after they are presented to the Legislature. These reports em- 

 body important scientific facts, and results of investigations are earnestly sought 

 for by citizens of the State, and are profitably used in exchange with individuals 

 and societies in other States and in foreign countries. Their value is greatly 

 diminished by delay of publication. 



All of which is respectfully submitted. 



By order of the Regents, 



E. C BENEDICT, 



Chancellor of the University. 



S. B. WOOLWORTH, 



Secretary. 



