r. 



ON THE STATE CABINET. 9 



as the results of the survey, have conferred great credit upon the State of 

 New York, both at home and abroad, and the nomenclature proposed by her 

 geologists has been adopted by other States, and in the geological survey 

 of Canada, and is well known, appreciated and recognized by the scientific 

 men of Europe, and 



"Whereas, Great progress has been made since that period in geological 

 investigations, both here and abroad, and it is due to science, as well as a 

 suitable recognition of the great credit given to the state of New York, 

 that her pre-eminence be sustained by keeping up the character and authen- 

 ticity of her collections as a museum of practical and scientific geology; 

 therefore be it 



Resolved, That the Regents of the University report to the Legislature, 

 at its next session, what means may be necessary, together with a plan, for 

 placing the State Cabinet of Natural History in the condition required by 

 the present state of science, to maintain it in full efficiency as a museum of 

 scientific and practical geology and comparative zoology; and whether the 

 establishment of a system of free lectures in connection with the cabinet is 

 desirable, and if so, on what general plan the same should be founded. 



The Regents of the University have committed the duty of preparing 

 their answer to this resolution to their standing committee on the State 

 Cabinet of Natural History. 



In the discharge of this duty, the committee desire to avail themselves 

 of the aid of those whose special studies relate to the subject of natural his- 

 tory in any of its branches, and of all who are interested in the increase 

 and spread of knowledge. They trust that the general scientific and econ- 

 omic interests to be subserved by jihe action contemplated in the resolution, 

 will induce cordial co-operation with them, on the part of those to whom 

 this circular letter is addressed. 



They will be obliged to you for the expression of your views and sugges- 

 tions upon any or all of the following topics, or upon any branch of them : 



1st. Plans for placing the State Cabinet of Natural History in the con- 

 dition required by the present state of science, and for maintaining it in 

 full efficiency as a museum of scientific and practical geology, and compar- 

 ative zoology. 



2d. The proper organization of a scientific staff to carry out such plans 

 and estimates of the proper compensation thereof, and of the other expendi- 

 tures, temporary or permanent, requisite to^the attainment of the ends in 

 )ifiew. 



3d. The desirableness of a system of free lectures in connection with the 

 cabinet, and if deemed desirable, a general plan for founding such a system 

 of lectures. 



Answers are requested as early at least as the 1st of September next, to 

 be addressed to the undersigned at Albany. 



I have the honor to be, sir, 



Your obedient servant, 



S. B. WOOLWORTH, 



Secretary of the Regents, 

 Gil behalf of the Committe. 

 [Senate, No. 89.] 2 



