24 Report of the President. 



woods. During the school year, ending June 30, 1905, these 

 cabinets were in use in 200 schools and were studied by 

 more than 375,000 children. These specimens are used by the 

 teachers not only for pure nature-study work, but as models for 

 drawing lessons, written and oral language work, conversation 

 lessons, dictation exercises and in connection with reading. 



Continuing the work inaugurated last year, a spring and a 

 fall course of informal lectures for school children have been 

 delivered at the Museum by members of the scientific staff. 

 There were thirty-six lectures in each course, a detailed list 

 of which will be found on page ^t ) . The lectures were given 

 on Monday, Wednesday and Friday afternoons and were very 

 popular. More than 20,000 pupils attended the spring series, 

 and fully 15,000 were present during the fall course. 



An unusual number of classes has visited the Museum for 

 purposes of study, and frequently teachers have asked to have 

 the classrooms reserved, in order that they might give their 

 pupils special lectures. 



At the request of a number of teachers and principals of 

 West Side schools, a laboratory course on birds and insects 

 was arranged for teachers, and Mr. Jules M. Johnson, of the 

 Morris High School, was engaged to conduct it. About 50 

 teachers attended. 



It is gratifying to report the increased use in this man- 

 ner of the Museum's collections, and the continued friendly 

 relations which exist between this institution and the various 

 'branches of the school system of the City. 



Department of Physiology. — By an arrangement made 

 early in the year, this department has had under its direction 

 the care of the animals received at the Museum and the 

 preparation of skeletons. Dr. C. W. Muenchehofe has had 

 immediate charge of this work and has personally performed 

 most of the autopsies. 



More than two hundred animals have been received in the 

 flesh, as noted in the list of accessions; sixty autopsies have 

 been performed, and eighty-one complete skeletons and twenty- 

 three skulls have been prepared. 



