has seen the Museum develop into an institution of more than national 
importance and of world-wide influence. During the first year of his 
incumbency, Mr. Jesup donated the collection of North American 
Woods and established the Bulletin, a medium for the publication of 
the scientific work of the institution which is now in its twentieth 
volume. 
Other features of the past twenty-three years have been the 
establishment of the Department of Public Instruction in 1885 through 
codperation with the State; the establishment of the Department of 
Vertebrate Paleontology in 1891 through Professor Henry F. Osborn; 
extensive explorations among the ancient ruins of Peru and South 
America, begun through the generosity of the late Mr. Henry Villard; 
the presentation by Mr. J. Pierpont Morgan of the Tiffany gem 
collections and the Bement Mineral Collection; the provision by the 
Duke of Loubat of the means for the collection and acquisition of 
the archeological series from Mexico and Central America, and the 
inauguration of the Jesup North Pacific Expedition. This period, 
furthermore, has witnessed the erection by the City of the entire 
imposing south facade of the building as originally projected. 
E. O. Hovey, 
Editor. 
