1886. j 307 [Annual Meeting 



Annual Meeting, May 5, 1886. 



The President, Mr. S. H. Scudder, in the chair. 

 The following reports were presented : 



Report on the Museum. By A. Hyatt, Curator. 



The slow progress of the Museum needs no explanation to one 

 acquainted with the condition of the Society's funds. The work, 

 begun some fifteen years ago, has been constantly and effectually 

 retarded for want of means either to obtain the few specimens and 

 preparations needed, or to retain the services of assistants who 

 have been educated to the work. We have gained ground in spite 

 of all drawbacks, but we cannot congratulate ourselves upon the 

 rapidity of this process, or the prospects of the future. 



The introductory collections which were reported upon last year, 

 as having become necessary in order to complete the Museum, 

 have been begun and considerable progress made. Two cases, out 

 of the six need'ed for their accommodation, have been constructed 

 and set up in the main entrance hall. They do not, in any way, in- 

 terfere with the architectural effect of the hall as was feared. Pro- 

 fessor Crosby has been at work upon the dynamical geology and 

 hopes to complete this portion and place it on exhibition in the 

 two cases just mentioned early in the next official year. 



The curator has also been occupied with the corresponding bi- 

 ological collections, which will require several years on account of 

 the necessity of procuring a number of preparations, some of which 

 will have to be purchased while some can be made by assistants in~ 

 the Museum. Considerable can be accomplished with the mate- 

 rials now on hand, or easily procurable, and possibly, enough pro- 

 gress may be made to permit the issue of a provisional guide for 

 the whole Museum before the introductory collections are entirely 

 completed. 



Even a provisional general guide would not be satisfactoiy, un- 

 less it included some review of the first collections with which the 

 visitor came in contact, and it is evident that these must be in large 

 part prepared and placed on exhibition before such a step is taken. 



Mineralogy. 

 Professor Crosby has been engaged in rewriting and condens- 



