27 



The principal donations have been as follows : From the Hon. 

 Levi P. Morton, 16 volumes ; Hon. R. P. Flower, 6 volumes ; 

 Hon. Lemuel E. Quigg, n volumes ; Dr. Joseph Weiner, 65 vol- 

 umes ; Prof. A. S. Bickmore, 25 volumes ; Mrs. William H. Brad- 

 ford, 42 volumes ; Mr. James Angus, 124 volumes, and Mr. 

 Samuel P. Avery, 15 volumes. 



Enlargement of the Building. — The construction of the 

 west wing has progressed favorably, and the structure would 

 have been completed at this time had the contractor not met with 

 many obstacles in obtaining the class of granite called for in the 

 specifications. The building is, however, nearly ready, aside from 

 the work of casing and equipping, and I feel confident that it 

 will be opened early in the spring of 1898. 



The temporary structures at the north end of the old building 

 will shortly be demolished, and the wall repaired to present a 

 more finished surface. 



Plans have been prepared to place the laboratories on the upper 

 story of this building (north wing), where the assistants will have 

 better facilities for their work. 



As foreshadowed in the preceding annual report, application 

 was made to the Legislature early in the year for a law authoriz- 

 ing the city to erect a structure to complete the present east wing. 

 This statute, which is designated as Chapter 175. of the Laws 

 of 1896, became a law April first with the approval of His 

 Excellency, Governor Morton, it having previously received the 

 approval of His Honor, Mayor Strong. The plans for this 

 structure were prepared later in the year, and will be presented 

 for the consideration and action of the Trustees early in 1897. 



The construction of this addition has not been begun any 

 too soon ; on the contrary, the plans for work in the field are 

 such that it will be needed for the collections much in advance 

 of its completion. 



In preparing for the work the architects have made ample pro- 

 vision for all the facilities required by the growth of the collec- 

 tions. When completed the structure will comprise the sixth 



