No. 211.] 7 
The commissioners were directed by the act authorizing them 
to superintend the publication, to suspend or terminate the work, 
" unless they contract, as suggested in their report of April first, 
1851, by the volume." 
On this, Prof. Hall verbally informed the commissioners that 
he was willing to enter into a contract on the terms proposed, 
but he would want an appropriation to meet the accounts for 
engravings, drawings and other current charges. 
It was estimated that not more than from five to seven thousand 
dollars would be called for during the year, as that some thou- 
sand dollars' work had already been completed and paid for, for 
the third volume. 
There was paid during the year for services and publication 
of Natural History, $20,146.74. 
In the report of the commissioners made to the Legislature 
March 14th, 1853, (Assembly Doc. No. 74,) it is stated that three 
volumes of the Natural History had been completed and distri- 
buted, viz : one volume of Dr. Emmons' work on fruits, one 
volume of plates on do , and one volume (second) of Prof- 
Hall's work on Paleontology. 
Amount paid on all the work to date of report, is $5,016.88. 
In the report of February, 1854, (Assembly Doc. 71,) the 
payments for the year were stated as follows : 
Paid balance due on Prof. Hall's Paleontology, vol. 2, $818 51 
Paid towards completing Prof. Hall's Paleontology, 
vol. 3, 4,765 56 
Balance on Dr. Emmons' agriculture, vol 3, 310 00 
Paid towards completing Dr. Emmons' volume on 
insects, 8,332 00 
Balance due on Dr. Emmons' salary, in full, 1 ,000 00 
$15,226 01 
The report of the commissioners made to the Legislature, Jan- 
uary 30th, 1855, (Assembly Doc No. 53,) states the expenses of 
