1876.] 343 [Annual Report. 



in order to show the implements used in the lectures, the character 

 of the specimens distributed as illustrations of the lectures given to 

 teachers, and for the reception of the publications of the Society; 

 say, fourteen square feet of shelving. 



Second — That the Society endeavor to furnish plans of their 

 building, of such a size as may be recommended by the commission- 

 ers. The committee cannot bind themselves to do this, but have 

 reasonable hopes of obtaining these plans free of cost. The building 

 is claimed to be one of the best, if not the best, of its class yet con- 

 structed. Together with these plans, the committee would propose 

 to show such drawings of the cases and furniture as might be deemed 

 desirable. The cases are probably, though made in the plainest 

 manner, unsurpassed in efficiency, and will compare favorably with 

 the elegant structures of the New York, Smithsonian and British 

 Museums. 



Third — That the Society furnish a synoptical collection exhibit- 

 ing the extent and quality of the Museum and its mode of arrange- 

 ment. 



The Museum contains a classified series of collections, showing the 

 forms of all the natural products of the earth in the order of their 

 affinities, beginning with the elements and ending with man. 



The natural order of these affinities is strictly preserved. 



The visitor is first introduced to minerals in the Mineral Room, 

 then to the association of minerals in the form of rock masses in the 

 Geological Room, then to the characteristic fossil plants and animals 

 of each stratum of rock in the Palasontological Rooms, then to the 

 systematically arranged plants and animals of the present time, which 

 occupy all the rooms of the remainder of the building. 



The same natural order is preserved in each room or department, 

 the elementary forms being shown first, and the more complex in one 

 or more series of ascending scales. The construction of the build- 

 ing is such that this can be done without confusing the visitor, who 

 can review either the whole or any part of the collections, and yet 

 receive a similar impression with regard to the interdependence of 

 natural products, and the logical sequence of their affinities. 



In other words, the Museum is a copiously illustrated natural his- 

 tory of the earth, of its elements, constituent minerals and architec- 

 ture — of its history in past geological time, and its present condition 

 so far as that can be presented in the existing minerals, plants and 

 animals. In order to show this plan fully and make an impression, 



