450 NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 



lative bill relieving the regents from the control of these rooms- 

 passed with the executive approval, we were soon thereafter 

 called on to surrender as much space as possible for that 

 purpose. 



In previous reports I have repeatedly referred to the fact of 

 the embarrassment to our work arising from the insufficiency of 

 space to render our material, specially the recent acquisitions 

 accruing from field work in actual operation, accessible for 

 study. It has been a source of constantly increasing difficulty 

 to adjust ourselves to these restricted and hampering conditions. 

 However, in response to the controller's wishes, we have 

 sacrificed 2000 square feet of floor space, including two of the 

 three well lighted rooms, and, with all our effects in the con- 

 tracted space remaining, are endeavoring to carry forward our 

 work and to find place for our constantly growing collections. 



The accessions accruing annually from necessary field opera- 

 tions are large, as these reports indicate; and the proposition to 

 return to Geological hall, after having left it 20 years ago be- 

 cause the building was then regarded as overcrowded, involves 

 a serious step backward. It is needless for me, under these 

 oppressive surroundings, to renew a plea for appropriate quar- 

 ters. The condition itself is an acute appeal therefor. Such 

 quarters will come only with the construction of a modern and 

 suitably equipped building for the museum, and this condition 

 seems to be fully appreciated by all the friends of the institu- 

 tion. 



Exhibit of the department at the Pan-American exposition. The 

 department was called on to prepare an exhibit for the exposi- 

 tion at Buffalo. In response to this request an effort was made 

 to bring together: 



1 A series of the publications of the state relating to paleon- 

 tology and stratigraphy. 



2 The geologic maps issued by the department on the topo- 

 graphic quadrangles. 



3 A series of the original drawings and plates of lithographs 

 used in these publications. 



