ON THE STATE CABINET. 19 



With these points in view, I would suggest the appointment of a commis- 

 sion composed of men of learning and experience in the several depart- 

 ments of natural history, and that the Regents intrust to them the work of 

 preparing suitable plans for the development of the several departments, 

 aflfording them proper facilities for comparison and time for their work. 



In regard to the second topic presented, the same views as in the first 

 would obtain. 



A scientific staiBF should be organized in the same way, to carry out the 

 plans and keep the collections up to the level of science. The reports of 

 such a staff, made annually to the Regents, would be contributions to 

 science worthy the State of N,ew York, and of immense advantage to the 

 sciei^ftific world. 



Normal collections in all the various departments of natural history could 

 be arranged by this stafi", and these collections would obviate the necessity 

 of gathering large cabinets in the colleges and academies of , the State. 

 Each institution would then require only small suites of characteristic spe- 

 cimens for the. purpose of elementary instruction, and there would be a 

 useful concentration of scientific effort to the one point, viz : the State 

 museum. 



The rate of compensation would depend upon the grade of men employed 

 to do the work, which would also gauge the character of the work done. 



As to the third topic— of th^ desirableness of a course of free lectures at 

 the State capital, there can be no doubt. Were the proper scientific staff 

 employed to make the State cabinet truly useful for scientific purposes, a 

 part of their duty should be to give, at stated seasons, lectures for teaching, 

 not rhetorical presentations of the popular points of science, but like those 

 at the European universities, " practical teachings." These could be at- 

 tended by the teachers in our public schools and academies, who would 

 thus become really qualified to teach the science as well as for other posi- 

 tions of influence, and at length the same work would be done here as was 

 accomplished by the disciples of Linnaeus in Sweden. Science in its accu- 

 rate and proper form, not its general and undefined shape, would become 

 in a manner popularized. Such lectures might be made of untold value to 

 the State, and would render our State capital the "scientific center," like 

 the Alcala of the Moors, or the Berlin or Paris of our day. 



In addition, scientific men of ability should be called upon to deliver 

 courses of lectures designed for general rather than for special instruction. 



In conclusion, allow me to express my gratification at the interest now 

 manifested in the advancement of science, and my earnest hope that the 

 great State of New York, with its boundless resources, may lay now a 

 broad and secure foundation for scientific work, and a grand pre^inence 

 for the future. 



AH of which is respectfully submitted. 



OREN ROOT. 



