13 



he sought to be relieved on account of declining health ; through 

 his decease the Museum has sustained the loss of a very warm 

 friend. Appropriate resolutions were adopted at the last meeting 

 of the Board, which were entered in full upon the minutes, and 

 engrossed copies of same forwarded to the members of his family. 



Mr. John B. Trevor, another zealous friend of this institution, 

 and formerly a Trustee, died December 2 2d, last. He gave his 

 best efforts to the interests of the Museum for a number of years 

 until business demands compelled his retirement from the Board. 



During the first few years of the existence of the Museum, it 

 was maintained solely by the subscriptions of its Trustees and a 

 few zealous friends and members, whose interest in its aims 

 prompted them to assist it. It is fair to assume that the contri- 

 butions of the Trustees, as included in money and gifts of 

 specimens, from the formation of the institution to the present 

 time, will aggregate nearly nine hundred thousand dollars. 



The growth of public interest in the Museum during the past 

 few years has been rapid and widely distributed, and many friends, 

 recognizing the prominence which it has attained, have been 

 prompted to exemplify their interest and appreciation by gifts of 

 money and collections, substantial in amount. 



In conclusion, I would tender our hearty thanks to those who 

 have become contributors during the year past, and I cherish 

 the conviction that the coming one will witness an even 

 greater increase in the amount of subscriptions. The history 

 of the formation of endowment funds for public institutions has 

 demonstrated that, after such a result as we have just achieved, 

 a steady increase has followed, and I feel great confidence that we 

 also shall secure ample means to enrich our collections. 



MORRIS K. JESUP, 



President. 



