64 Report of the President 



took a special interest in matters relating to the instructive display 

 of minerals and shells, was ever looking for opportunities to better 

 the exhibits and ever ready to listen to suggestions for their im- 

 provement. Always prompt and punctilious in official matters, what 

 has proved to be his last reports on the departments in his charge 

 were handed in a few days before his untimely death. 



Annual Report of Curator Gratacap 



The collection of minerals has attained a development which 

 embraces its popular usefulness in those aspects of beauty and 

 striking phenomena which appeal most naturally to the general 

 public, and also in no small measure it has expanded in the 

 acquisition of material of scientific significance. These two 

 directions of growth are naturally related, even if divergent. 

 They might prove mutually exclusive, if preponderance were 

 allowed to one over the other, and the choice between them 

 might easily incline toward securing specimens solely of ex- 

 traordinary character, which, from size and perfection, elicit 

 wonder or admiration. Quite usually such specimens would 

 represent the better known minerals, and an emphasis of this 

 sort would rob the collection of its eclectic value. It would 

 disappoint an increasing attendance of students, for whom the 

 collection is valued chiefly, because of its educational impor- 

 tance. 



The collection has acquired more than 5,000 specimens since 

 its instalment in the Morgan Hall, and these are fairly well 

 distributed as regards their character over the twofold fields 

 of interest. This comprehensiveness was already fully insti- 

 tuted in the original Bement Collection, which is its nucleus. It 

 is not, however, always easy to guide expenditures, under neces- 

 sary restrictions of resources, so as fairly to balance the claims 

 of Science and Popularity. Rare or new species of minerals 

 of intrinsic interest are quite frequently unattractive in appear- 

 ance, and yet, if purchased, may prove expensive acquisitions. 

 Unusual examples of common minerals command good prices, 

 and specimens of phenomenal brilliancy excite competition and 

 reach prohibitive values. The Museum Collection of Minerals 

 depends for its growth almost wholly upon purchases, having 

 at present no patron to augment it, and it is also deprived of the 



