ON THE STATE CABINET. 29 



by different surrounding physical conditions ; (2) for means of making 

 exchanges with cabinets and institutions, both in America and Europe 

 (as is done by the Smithsonian Institution at Washington and by the 

 Museum of Comparative Zoblogy at Cambridge), and also with individ- 

 uals engaged in scientific investigations both here and abroad ; (3) for 

 the great advantages which might be extended to the educational inter- 

 ests of the State, in supplying to colleges and academies authentically 

 labeled specimens for illustrating their courses of instruction. 



III. Cataloguing and Preparing Collections. 



(a.) An object of the first importance would be to obtain a catalogue 

 of the materials in the cabinet as it at present exists. Until this be 

 done, it is impossible to know in wnat direction efforts for its impr^ove- 

 ment are to be made. 



(6.) The next object to be attained, and to be pursued simultaneausly ' 

 with the first, should be to fill up the deficiencies, more particularly in 

 geology and paleontology, and whatever in other departments may con- 

 tribute to their elucidation. 



(c.) The collections accumulated should as rapidly as possible be sub- 

 mitted to scientific scrutiny and investigation, description and cata- 

 loguing. The arrangement would be first in series*, illustrating each 

 species, together with sections, dissections and preparations, to be fol- 

 lowed by the systematic arrangement of the whole. 



(d.) 'During the examination and preparation of collections, instruc- 

 tion and demonstration should be giVen for the benefit of such assistants 

 and collectors, as may be employed in the museum. 



IVv Publishing, i 



The museum should have the means of publication, as the progress of 

 work and investigation suggested will necessarilybring out results of 

 great interest to the public. The publications might be similar to that 

 now given by the Regents of the University, of that made by the Mu- 

 seum of Comparative Zoology at Cambridge. They would properly be : 



An annual report to the Legislature, stating the general progress and 

 result of the work carried on in the museum ; 



A bulletin to be issued as often as the progress of the work should 

 require, accompanied by proper illustrations, and may be the repository 

 of the permanent results of the operations of the museum, both in scien- 

 tific investigations and in their practical application to the pursuits of 

 the community. 



: Should the course of free, lectures be adopted, these should, to some 

 extent, be published, either in connection with the annual report, or oth- 

 erwise ; and since they would have reference mainly to the practical 

 application of science, they would find an appropriate channel of distri- 

 bution through the Legislature. 



