BUFFALO SOCIETY OF NATURAL SCIENCES 243 



Commerce and Industry. 509 models of machinery, vehicles, 

 and manufactured products. 



History. One room devoted to the history of Erie County; 

 360 battle flags of the revolution, the war of 1812, the civil war, and 

 the Spanish- American war; 155 specimens from historic places in 

 various foreign countries. 



Paleontology. Invertebrates, on exhibition, 1149, in storage, 

 2oo±; Vertebrates, on exhibition, 142; Plants, on exhibition, 248, 

 in storage, 35oo±. 



Zoology. Shells, on exhibition, 3550, in storage, 25o±; Insects, 

 1274; Other invertebrates, 175; Fishes, 108; Batrachians, 8; Reptiles, 

 70; Birds, 388; Mammals, 16. Not included in the above are 122 

 corals; 57 bird nests; 257 bird eggs; and no skulls, horns. in pairs, 

 teeth, tusks, etc. 



Other Collections. Arms, 312; Coins, 2000; Medals, 614; Paper 

 money, 400. 



Historical Sketch. The museum began in 1897 with a miscel- 

 laneous collection of geological specimens and has grown to its present 

 proportions entirely by gifts or loans, the cases having been furnished 

 by the board of education through the library trustees. 



Financial Support. The sole income of the museum is a vari- 

 able appropriation made by the board of education through the library 

 trustees. The curator draws salary as an assistant librarian, while 

 supplies are paid for from the contingent fund. 



Building. The museum occupies 4500 square feet of floor space 

 for exhibition, and 500 for offices, etc. in the basement of the library 

 building, erected in 1897. 



Administration. By a curator, responsible to the librarian and 

 trustees of the public library. 



Scope. Instruction of the general public, maintenance of local 

 collections, research by the staff, and public school work are the aims 

 of the museum. 



Library. 50 scientific books for the use of the staff, in addition 

 to access to the public library. 



Publications. The report of the curator is printed in the bien- 

 nial report of the library trustees and officers. 



Attendance. The museum is open free to the public on week- 

 days from 10 to 12, 1.30 to 5.30, and 7 to 9; on Sundays and holidays 

 from 2 to 5. The total attendance for the year 1908-9 is 41,485. 



