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Report of the Museum of Natxiral History 



In this, its 65th year, the Museum of Natural History reviews steady 

 progress from a easeful of reUcs to the present educational institution 

 and its excellent collections. 



Gifts marked the beginning of the museum both in collections and 

 service; continued giving has resulted in an important representation 

 of local natural history, housed in a substantial building. The forward 

 look brings assurance that the increasing need of additions to that build- 

 ing and its equipment will be met by the same generous interest. 



Returns that the museum is making are indicated by the following 

 record of what has been accomplished during the past year: 



Catalogue of Springfield Plants 



The publication of a third scientific bulletin is perhaps the most note- 

 worthy event. Bulletin No. 1, Early Stages of the Carabidae by Dr. 

 George Dimmock and Frederick Knab, and Bulletin No. 2, Insect Galls 

 of Springfield and Vicinity by Miss Fannie A. Stebbins, have received 

 acknowledgment as worthy scientific contributions. Bulletin No. 3, by 

 Luman Andrews and a Committee of the Botanical Society, on Flower- 

 ing Plants and Ferns of Springfield, Massachusetts, is just issued and, 

 it is hoped, may receive like acknowledgment. 



It is a volume of 221 pages listing more than 1000 plants growing 

 without cultivation within the city boundaries. These are classified as 

 fern plants and seed plants, sub-divided into families and genera, and 

 finally species and varieties. Scientific names are followed by common 

 names which have been made a feature of the bulletins and its elaborate 

 index. Frequency of occurrence is stated and habitat described briefly; 

 then the Springfield stations are recorded. An indexed map given by 

 the Springfield Botanical Society is another feature, and ten plates 

 illustrate some of Springfield\s interesting trees. Species upon which 

 this catalogue is based are a part of the herbarium of approximately 

 15,000 plants given to the museum by the author, the late Luman An- 

 drews of Southington, Connecticut. This bulletin by no means includes 

 all the plants that can be found in Springfield. Large areas are still to 

 be studied and the museum invites additions to this prehminary list. 



The publication of these important records has been made possible 

 by Mr. Robert O. Morris through whose good offices part of the Horace 

 Smith and WilHam A. Birnie funds have been made available for the 

 purpose. 



Lectures and Credit Courses 



Lecture courses have been especially gratifying. The total attendance 

 at twenty lectures was 2,303 persons, an average of 115 persons at each 

 lecture. 



