39G 



THE AMERICAN MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY. 



he remained three years. In 18G5, he was trans- 

 ferred to the Zoological Gardens, London ; but 

 after many vears ho developed some vicious traits ; 

 and as it was thought unsafe to keep him tliere, 

 he was sold to Mr. P. T. Barnum for §10,000. 

 In 1882 he was brought to America, and formed 

 an attractive feature in Barnum's shows. Jumbo 

 met his death at St. Thomas, Ontario, Septem- 

 ber 15th, 1885, in a railway collision, while being 

 led across the track. His skin and skeleton were 

 separately mounted ; and after being exhibited 

 some time, the skeleton was loaned by INIessrs. 

 Barnum and ]5ai]ey to the American IMuseum. 

 Jumbo Avas twenty-five years old, and was l:i feet 

 high at the shoulder and 18 feet in girth — the 

 largest elephant known in confinement. 



The library of the museum, in charge of IMr. 

 A. Woodward, contains about 13,000 volumes ami 

 G,000 pampldets : not large, as compared Avith 



THE GBEAT AUK. 



many other libraries, but composed strictly o 

 valuable works pertaining to natural science. 



In connection with the Department of Piibli 

 Instruction, an annual serioj of lectures has bee: 

 given by Professor A. L. Bickmore to the teach 

 ers of New York and vicinity, on topics of nal 

 ural history. The lectures are illustrated by plic 

 tographic vicAvs «nd by the museum collections 

 and the large attendance has proved their popu 

 larity. Recently arrangements have been nuul 

 for monthly lectures to be given to members o 

 the museum ; and also, on legal holidays, fre 

 illustrated lectures respecting the natural re 

 sources and characteristic scenery of this conn 

 try, and kindred subjects ; these latter being fo 

 tlie benefit of the jieople Avho throng the build 

 ing on holidays. 



The subjects of some of the lectures deliverer 

 during the past two years show Avhat interestin; 

 topics are brought before th . 

 teachers and others Avho ar 

 l)rivileged to attend them . 

 The Palisades and Highlands 

 The Catskills and the Adiron 

 dacks, Tlie Lakes and Glen- 

 of Kew York, The St. Law 

 rence and the Saguenay, Tht 

 Stem and the Leaf, Thi 

 Forests of America ; Ilollanc. 

 — Amsterdam ; 1) e n m a r k 

 Sweden and Southern Nor- 

 Avay ; The National Yellow- 

 stone Park ; Colorado — Pike'ii 

 Peak and IMoiuunent Park ; 

 The Canons of the II o c k 3' 

 ^Mountains ; California — the 

 Yosemite Valley ; Alaska. 

 The success of the American 

 ' ]\Iuseum is established. 

 JManhattan Square gives ample 

 room for new buildings as 

 they are required ; and only 

 a liberal endowment fund 

 seems needed to secure the 

 rapid groAvth and permanent 

 high rank of this institution. 

 At this time of Avriting about 

 ^300,000 have been contribut- 

 ed to this fund. Much more 

 is requisite, aiid generous do- 

 natiojis a r c confidently ex- 

 pected. 



No more praiseworthy. or ef- 

 fective avenue of usefulness is 

 open to persons of Avealth than 

 the fostering of an institution 

 dcA'oted, as this is, to scientific 

 progress and the education of 

 the public. 



