1870.] SENATE— No. 170. 39 



collection of skulls in particular is a very large one. But as it is 

 necessary for the study of fossil Mammalia, to have a collection 

 of the skulls of the now living Mammals, at different ages, I 

 have taken the necessary steps, in this direction, with regard to 

 our domestic animals. During the ensuing year I hope to 

 make such a collection. 



Report on the Library^ by Dr. F. R. Stahli. 



During the winter of 1868-9 I have examined the Library 

 of the Museum and compared the books on the shelves with the 

 shelf catalogues as well as with the card catalogue, marking 

 their respective places in pencil on the cards. I did not find 

 many books missing, but many misplaced, some being even in 

 the wrong alcoves, while a good many had never been entered in 

 any of the catalogues. My first work was to replace them and 

 to complete the existing catalogue of accessions. 



In order to make the library more useful, as well as to avoid 

 misplacement of books, as much as possible, I was directed to 

 rearrange the library, and to make fewer divisions and sub- 

 divisions ; and to place the books in alphabetical order in the 

 eight or ten large classes to which they belong, according 

 to their contents. At the same time a general catalogue, 

 according to this arrangement of books is in preparation, and 

 will be completed in such a way as to allow any future accessions 

 to the library to be easily entered in their proper places. It will 

 be also provided with a general register of topics and authors, 

 with cross references and references to the actual place on the 

 shelves. Any book may in future easily be found by means of 

 this catalogue. 



During the year 1869, the valuable library of the late Dr. 

 Zimmermann has been added to our collection, consisting of two 

 hundred and seventy-three volumes, and two hundred pamph- 

 lets, all on entomology. A large number of volumes and 

 pamphlets have also been added by Professor Agassiz, and Mr. 

 Alexander Agassiz. The latter will complete sets of valuable 

 works for the Museum during his stay in Europe. Our 

 exchanges also have increased considerably. Of these I shall 

 be able to give a full account in the next report. We have also 



