State Museum of Natural History. 



13 



have greater care bestowed upon them than is possible now, and 

 would therefore be in a better condition both as to natural increase, 

 and also to the usefulness and preservation of the books. 



Plans have been arranged for furnishing to the State Museum a 

 collection of native woods of the State of New York. It is 

 estimated that about seventy-five different specimens would be 

 required to represent fairly the timbers that grow to the full size 

 of trees in the State of New York. It is proposed that large 

 specimens showing the bark, the grain in different positions and 

 the susceptibility to receiving polish shall be shown in these 

 specimens. Negotiations are now in progress with Mr. Eomeyn 

 B. Hough, of Lowville, N. Y., to furnish the specimens that would 

 be required for this collection 



Before closing the report, it is proper to mention that Mr. 

 Charles E. Beecher, who was for a long time in the employ of the 

 State Museum, has, during the past year, gone to the Yale College 

 museum as assistant in " invertebrate " palaeontology. He has, 

 however, been retained in his connection with the State Museum, 

 as Consulting Palaeontologist, and visits the Museum once every 

 month, giving such time and assistance to its operations as he 

 may find possible and necessary. 



The rest of the Museum staff remains in the same condition as 

 at the last report : James Hall, LL. D., Director; John C. Smock, 

 Assistant-in-charge ; William B. Marshall, Assistant ; Charles E. 

 Beecher, Consulting Palaeontologist; Charles H. Peck, State 

 Botanist ; J. A. Lintner, State Entomologist. 



Bespectfully submitted. 



H. B. PIEESON, 



Chancellor. 



December, 1888. 



