BOSTON SOCIETY OF NATURAL HISTORY. 99 



It was voted by the Council at a meeting held on May 4th that the new building should 

 be known as the "Museum of the Boston Society of Natural History." 



On May 27th the Council directed that the Museum be open to the public on Wednes- 

 days and Saturdays, and that it also be open to the members and patrons, or to such as 

 have tickets, on Thursdays. 



The Committee of Arrangements for the dedication of the Museum announced that 

 those only would be admitted to the ceremonies who presented tickets, which had been 

 distributed to all the members and patrons. 



Dedication of the Museum. 



This notable event in the histor}^ of the Society took place on the afternoon of June 

 3d, the ceremonies being in the main hall of the Museum. At about 4 o'clock the Presi- 

 dent invited the Rev. Dr. Hill of Harvard University, to offer prayer. 



After this service the President made some remarks appropriate to the occasion, expres- 

 sive of gratitude felt for the liberality of the Commonwealth and the munificence of indi- 

 viduals, which had resulted in placing the Society in the high position it now occupied. 

 'He then introduced Prof Wm. B. Rogers, who gave a brief history of the movements made 

 by the Society, which had resulted in its possession of the beautiful edifice to which the 

 audience were now welcomed. He alluded to the fact that even whilst the flames of civil 

 war were lighting up the country, the legislature of the State made the grant of land the ' 

 Society asked for, adding that for this gift it was as much indebted to Governor Andrew 

 as to any other man. 



Prof. Rogers then spoke of the progress of the Society and of the means it would now 

 afford the student in scientific pursuits. He regarded the interest shown in the Society 

 during these years of war as evidence of the desire of the community for truth, ending by 

 gratefully referring to those who were struggling through conflict for peace, without which 

 many of the blessings we enjoy would vanish like smoke. 



His Honor the Mayor, F. W. Lincoln, Jr., next addressed the assembly, and in the 

 name of the citizens of Boston bade the members God speed in all their honorable efforts. 



Rev. Dr. Waterston followed, giving a very interesting address upon the importance of 

 such an institution as that of the Boston Society of Natural History. Its objects, like those 

 of the Public Library and the Institute of Technology, were important for the higher educa- 

 tion of the community. All citizens might take an interest in it with great advantage to 

 themselves, for it furnishes the means of enlarging their sphere of knowledge. He thought 

 its success should be viewed with reverent gratitude, since all who participated in its ben- 

 efits would find an increased enjoyment. 



Lieutenant Lutke of the Russian Navy, aide-de-camp of the Grand Duke Constantine, 

 who had been invited to be present, made a few remarks expressive of his high gratifica- 

 tion in being able to participate in the ceremonies of the dedication. 



After further remarks by Professor Rogers upon the taste displayed by the architect in 

 the construction of the building, and the conscientious devotion constantly manifested by 

 him while erecting it, the audience was invited by the President to remain and examine 

 the collections. 



