238 



HISTORICAL SKETCH OF THE 



To this the writer also responds unhesitatingly in the affirmative, sustained by the grat- 

 ifying fact that among the nearest representatives of the great donors may be found those 

 best pleased with all the Society has done. 



For the better understanding, on the part of the members of future generations, of the 

 condition of the affairs of the Society at the present period, it may not be amiss to state 

 concisely what are its possessions, just what it is now doing, with what means, its present 

 needs, and what are the hopes and the aspirations of those who are now its active mem- 

 bers. First then as to its possessions. It owns the building known as the Museum, its 

 cases, furniture, library and the collections contained therein, free from all incumbrance. 

 The value of the building with cases may be estimated at the cost, f 150,334.86, as it cer- 

 tainly could not be erected at the present time without a larger expenditure. The money 

 value of the library and collections cannot be given. The former embraces as before 

 stated, over 14,000 volumes and nearly .6000 pamphlets. 



The collections may be said to be of inestimable worth not only to the Society, but to 

 the community, for a considerable portion of unique and type specimens in the several de- 

 partments could never be replaced. There is not on the part of the public an adequate 

 conception of the extent of these collections and of the great importance that they should 

 be properly cared for, scientifically arranged and fully labelled in order that they may con- 

 tinue in all the future to serve as they now do, to help in the education of those who seek 

 to know something of the works of the Great Creator of all things, and who are not able 

 to attend the scientific schools where this knowledge is specifically taught. The following 

 statement will show the magnitude of the cabinet at this period. 



Mineralogical Collection. 

 General collection . . . 5,660 specimens. 



New England collection . . 679 " 



Total 6,339 



Geological Collection. 



Cat;iloguecl and on exhibition . 3,265 specimens. 



Others yet uncatalogued . . 1,700 " 



Total 4,965 « 



Tlie New England rocks are all included in the 

 1700 yet uncatalogued, and they amount, in round 

 numbers, to 1500 specimens. 



Palaeontological Collection. 



Europe 13,691 spL'oimens. 



North America, exclusive of New 



England .... 7,(')7.S 



South America . 



Asia and Australia . 



Africa 



New England . 



Mounted and arranged 



170 



170 



14 



5,fiO 



Unmounted, North America . SOO specimens. 



New England . 200 « 



Anatomical Collection. 



Skeletons, preparations and other 



specimens . . . . 4,153 specimens. 



Jlicroscojiical Collection. 



Bailey collection . . . 1,839 specimens. 



Burnett " . . . . 566 



R. 0. Greenleaf and Dr. A. D. Sinclair 



collection .... 480 



Rogers collection . . . 275 " 



Received from Messrs. A. Hyatt and 



W. O. Crosby ... 114 " 



Received from jMr. E. Samuels 24 " 



" others . . 62 " 



Total . 



3,360 



t^j>oiH/es. 



A general collection not yet in a condition to deter- 

 mine number and species; also a large collection 

 of Now England specimens not yet examined. 



