7 



early part of the year, and distributed to institutions and indi- 

 viduals all over the world. 



A bequest of $5000 (the first the Museum has received) has 

 been paid by the executor of the estate of the late Hon.-Wm. E. 

 Dodge, and the Trustees have thought best to place on record the 

 following resolution regarding the same and other bequests that 

 it is hoped may from time to time be made : 



" Whereas, the Board of Trustees of the Museum of Natural History in Central 

 Park regard it as highly important to constitute a permanent endowment fund of which 

 the interest only shall be applied to the use of the Museum, as shall be deemed most 

 expedient by the Board, and therefore it is resolved that the Board do hereby establish 

 a fund to be called a permanent endowment fund." 



" Resol-ved, that the bequest of the late Wm. E. Dodge of $5000 be hereafter known 

 as the Wm. E. Dodge Fund, and that the same shall constitute a part of the permanent 

 endowment fund." 



It is the desire and aim of the Trustees to place the Collections 

 of the Museum in such condition that they may be as useful and 

 instructive to visitors as possible. The limited means at the 

 disposal of the institution permits of only moderate advancement 

 in this important feature. 



The Trustees beg to again call attention to the urgent necessity 

 for an additional section to the Museum building. The already 

 overcrowded state of the present structure makes another wing 

 an imperative necessity. 



It is believed that the city, which has been so liberal hitherto 

 in all matters of education and culture, will be ready to grant the 

 means for such an additional edifice, if an endowment fund for 

 the steady development of the institution be supplied from private 

 sources, and the Trustees again appeal to all public- spirited citi- 

 zens to join them in commencing such a fund. 



