Museum of Natural History* 



Report of the Curator, 



To the Directors and Members of The City Library Association : — 



The eleventh annual report of the Museum of Natural History is 

 hereby respectfully submitted. 



There is increasing testimony to the influence of the museum in arous- 

 ing an intelligent interest in the study of nature among the people of the 

 community. Such evidence is given by the figures for attendance, by the 

 use of the collection by classes and by words of appreciation from visitors. 

 Among school children in particular the museum is known as a place worth 

 visiting. It* is the desire of the officials to promote not only scientific 

 knowledge on the technical side, but also to lead to some appreciation of 

 the beauty of nature and of her spiritual meaning. 



A quiet and steady growth of the collections has taken place during 

 the year. Gifts from friends have made this increase possible, and of these 

 detailed mention is made under the separate departments and in the 

 appendix. 



A comprehensive card catalogue of the museum material is now in prepa- 

 ration. This Avill be of value for purposes of reference, and will be of 

 great help to students who use the collections. 



The museum has, during the year, issued for the first time a scientific 

 bulletin, comprising the results of original investigation. This monograph, 

 entitled <' The Early Stages of Carabidje," was prepared by George Dim- 

 mock of this city and Frederick Knab, custodian of the Museum of the 

 Illinois State University, Urbana, Illinois. This monograph has been sent 

 to leading scientific societies, and as a result the museum has established 

 relations with many important organizations in all parts of the world. 

 Lectures and special exhibits have been maintained with success. Our 

 local scientific societies continue to co-operate in a most efficient manner 

 with the museum. As a result of the constant increase in material and the 

 placing of new cases the floor space is almost entirely occupied, .and the 

 question of an addition to the present building must soon be faced by 

 the association. Such an extension was anticipated in the original plans 

 and can be made at no great cost. 



