peculiar and permanent value in being the standard 

 series for future reference and careful study in this 

 important branch of the industries of our people. 



This Department will also include specimens in 

 Economic Geology, which shall exhibit in all their 

 varieties the granites, sandstones, limestones, marbles, 

 slates, clays for brick and tile, and sands for glass, that 

 are known in America. We are in correspondence 

 with Dr. George W. Hawes, who with the aid of a 

 large corps of prominent geologists, is preparing a re- 

 port for the Census, upon the quarries and ornamental 

 and building stones of our country, and we anticipate- 

 securing his active co-operation in gathering and pre- 

 paring for exhibition the exhaustive series of specimens 

 we desire. These collections will be so amply and 

 scientifically labelled and illustrated, that it will be a 

 source of instruction for the artisan and laboring; 

 classes of our citizens, and the pupils of our public 

 schools, whom it is our special desire to benefit. It 

 will be supplemented by a gathering of all the maps,, 

 plans and photographic views, that have yet been pub- 

 lished on these subjects, and such valuable data will 

 be accessible to all desiring detailed information,, 

 as builders, architects, or persons erecting private 

 dwellings. 



Such costly collections should be gathered only into 

 a fire-proof edifice, and as our new building is already 

 filled to overflowing, we shall soon be compelled to 

 apply to the Municipality and the Legislature, for the 

 means to erect another wing as large as our present 

 structure. 



Desiring that our institution might take an active 

 and efficient part in the education of the pupils of our 

 public schools, a letter was addressed to the Commis- 



