4 



COMPARATIVE ZO-OLOGY. [June, 



[A.] 



EEPOET OF THE DIRECTOR 



OF THE 



MUSEUM OF COMPARATIVE ZOOLOGY, 



For the Year 1872. 



It gives me the greatest pleasure to state that my absence, 

 though extended to nearly a year, has not in the slightest 

 degree interfered with the progress of the Museum. Mr. 

 Gary, the Superintendent, has directed the business of our 

 Institution with so much ability, forethought and diligence, 

 anticipating and providing for the needs of each working 

 department, that there have been no unnecessary delays or 

 interruptions. His special Report contains the details of his 

 iadministration. The scientific officers of the Museum have 

 shown the utmost zeal and fidelity, carrying on the work of 

 the separate laboratories so efficiently that I can truly say the 

 results of the year have far exceeded my most sanguine 

 expectations. There is one inference to be drawn from this 

 statement which is of great importance, though few perhaps 

 can value it as highly as I do myself. I have heard it said 

 repeatedly that the organization of the Museum was too com- 

 prehensive, that it covered a wider range than was useful in 

 the present state of science among us, and that since it must 

 collapse whenever I should be taken away, it was unwise to 

 support it on so large a scale. The past year has proved 

 beyond question that the Museum is now so organized (vital- 

 ized as it were with the spirit of thought and connected work) 

 that my presence or absence is of little importance. It will 

 keep on its course without any new or repeated stimulus 



