92 New Yoek at the World's Columbian Exposition. 



was exercised to exclude all poor and indifferent material. N'nmerous 

 models, charts and pictures further served to elucidate the different sub- 

 jects and facilitate their mastery by the student. The subject of 

 mountings and labeling received careful attention ; and while lack of 

 space rendered impossible the use of many large explanatory labels, 

 yet the principal points of scientific interest were clearly noted on each 

 specimen. This was the largest single collection of natural history 

 material ever brought together in this country at one time, and its 

 acquisition by the Columbian Musuem of Chicago gives that institution 

 a leading place among the natural history museums of America. 



Besides this main collection were exhibited small collections of 

 minerals, rocks, fossils, invertebrate animals and vertebrate animals 

 designed for class room use in colleges, academies and union schools. 

 Each of these was a unit in itself, presenting a complete outline of the 

 branch it was designed to teach. In these low-priced collections great 

 care was manifested in the careful selection of important type 

 material, the even manner in which each subject was covered and the 

 good quality, clear labeling and tasty mountings of the specimens. 

 Thirteen awards were taken by this exhibit. 



The New Yoek State Building. 



The crowning feature of New York's display at the fair was the 

 State Building. It occupied one of the most prominent and attractive 

 sites in Jackson Park, and the Board of General Managers wish to place 

 on record here, in behalf of the people of the State, their deep obliga- 

 tion to Director-General George R. Davis vf or reserving this space for 

 New York. At the date of the organization of this board the time 

 allowed for the filing of plans for State buildings had nearly expired, 

 and it was only through the insistence of Director-General Davis, who 

 publicly and privately proclaimed that New York would yet come 

 grandly to the front, that the beautiful and commanding site opposite 

 the Art Gallery was retained for New York's use. The building was 

 planned with a view to its being a place of resort for citizens of New 

 Yoi'k visiting the exposition, and as a center for the dissemination of 

 information regarding New York exhibits. It was primarily intended 

 for the comfort, accommodation and convenience of the people ; for 

 meetings of State associations specially interested in any of the great 

 departments of the exposition, and as a place where receptions could be 

 given to New York societies and to the representatives of other States. 



