Annual Keport.] 212 [May 3, 



structural series, in each class or minor division of the ani- 

 mal and vegetable kingdoms. Besides these it was proposed 

 to have a more general epitome collection which would enable 

 the student to bind together in one sheaf all the knowledge 

 he might have obtained from the type collections. Though we 

 are apparently far from the final accomplishment of this or any 

 other arrangement, yet the existence of a definite system 

 exerts an excellent and healthy influence. 



The difficulties to be encountered in carrying out the de- 

 tails of any scheme will be great or small, precisely in propor- 

 tion to the feeling which governs the officers entrusted with 

 its execution. If a broad, catholic spirit of consideration for 

 the interests of the Museum obtains, there need be no doubt 

 of ultimate success. On the other hand, if regard for the 

 interests of any special departments is allowed to interfere 

 with the uniform arrangements and proper scientific use of 

 the whole Museum, no very beneficial results can be antici- 

 pated. It should be remembered, and therefore make us 

 doubly cautious, that besides our own interest in the matter, 

 the result of such an experiment must become a precedent 

 for similar undertakings, and in the future have a lasting in- 

 fluence upon the development of scientific societies. 



The next important event of the year was an agreement 

 made with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. By 

 the terms of this compact they are permitted the use of the 

 halls of this building and the Museum collections for the in- 

 struction of students, controlled by such restrictions as may 

 from time to time be imposed by the Council. In return for 

 these privileges, the Institute pays a certain sum per annum, 

 and deposits, as soon as we are prepared to receive them, the 

 valuable collections and series of diagrams which formerly 

 belonged to Prof. Henry D. Rogers. 



This agreement affords the Society an opportunity to aid in 

 the new movement of practical education and to extend its 

 usefulness to a class heretofore beyond its reach, — a class likely, 

 on account of their opportunities in the field and laboratory, to 



