20 



Forty-second Annual Report on the 



" The State Cabinet of Natural History was originally organized as the 

 result of the geological survey of the State, and the collections 

 deposited therein were derived from the investigations in that survey. 

 In the geological department, of this Museum, there was arranged for 

 the first time in the history of American geology, a series of collec- 

 tions illustrating the order of sequence among the older formations. 

 The plan of arrangement was adopted according to the best personal 

 and collective knowledge of the four individuals to whom the geolog- 

 ical survey had been assigned. It embraced: 



" 1. A geological collection, illustrating the sequence of the forma- 

 tions. 



" 2. A geographical collection, illustrating their distribution. 

 " 3. A palseontological collection. 

 " 4. An economical collection. 



"Of these the first collection, embracing the series and showing the 

 order of the formations, was fully arranged and completed. The 

 second, or geographical collection, was essentially completed, but of 

 course to be increased. The palseontological collection was scarcely 

 begun, and the economical collection was not attempted, although a 

 few specimens with that object in view had been accumulated. 



" Beyond this, a collection in mineralogy had been arranged to illus- 

 trate the minerals of the State, and also one in zoology, with speci- 

 mens in the several departments of that science; and also a botanical 

 collection. 



"Although much progress had been made in geological investiga- 

 tions since that period [1843], very little had been found to conflict 

 with the arrangement which was then adopted; and in any reorgani- 

 zation of the Museum, the original plan and object should be returned 

 to and kept in view. 



"Among other points are to be considered the following: 



" The historical value of the original collections can not be overesti- 

 mated, as these furnish authentic means of study and comparison. 



"The plan, therefore, should embrace a provision for the restoration 

 of the old arrangement, the preservation and authenticity of these 

 collections as they existed at the close of the work by the geological 

 surveyors. 



" Following this, the natural history of New York should be repre- 

 sented and illustrated by specimens in every department; deficiencies 

 supplied, and provision made for special investigation among those 

 classes or families of which we have but imperfect knowledge. 



