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[Senate 



minerals, fossils and shells, made by his deceased nephew, Casimir 

 De Rham, Jr. Although the State Cabinet is peculiarly appropriated 

 to our native productions, still the interest attached to these memo- 

 rials of a young and successful student of Natural History, required 

 that the offer should be cheerfully accepted. Any anticipations that 

 were entertained as to their value, have been greatly exceeded on their 

 examination and arrangement. The collection includes many rare 

 minerals, and highly prized fossils and shells. The curator has pre- 

 pared a catalogue of them, which will give some idea of the industry 

 and discrimination of one w^ho was too early lost to science. 



The Historical and Antiquarian collection continues to increase 

 and flourish, beyond the most sanguine hopes of its projectors. Nu- 

 merous and valuable presents have been made, and more are promised. 

 Among these are some precious relics from the battle grounds of 

 Saratoga, and a memorial of the victory of Commodore Perry on 

 Lake Erie. 



Donations also continue to be received of Indian relics, and in the 

 spirit of the views expressed to the Legislature in their last annual 

 report, the Regents deemed themselves justified in purchasing from 

 Mr. E. G. Squire a number of aboriginal remains, which he had 

 obtained in western New-York, and elsewhere. 



A few months since, Mr. I^wis H. Morgan, of Rochester, whose 

 hberal gifts have been enumerated in a former report, and who has 

 continued them during the present year, suggested the propriety of 

 endeavoring to bring together a full exhibition of the manufactures 

 of the Indian tribes still remaining within our State, and thus to show, 

 as it were, their transition condition, in the union of their ancient 

 and rude constructions, with the improvements received through the 

 whites. Mr. Morgan added, that he would with, pleasure superin- 

 tend the disposition of any appropriation that might be resolved upon. 

 The Regents could not hesitate to agree to his offer. So rapid, in- 

 deed, is the progress of change, with the ancient lords of the soil, 

 that what is to be done must be done quickly. A sum of money was 

 accordingly placed at the disposal of Mr. Morgan, and the result has 

 been the beautiful and interesting collection which now adorns the 

 rooms. It is intended shortly to label each article with its^English 

 and Indian name, and the whole will be perfectly illustrated by the 

 sketches accompanying the memoir which forms part of this report. 



