13 
Library. — The growth of the library is of a very gratifying 
character, the accessions being equal to 2135 volumes. The total 
number of the latter at the close of the year was in excess of 
twenty-six thousand. The works on Entomology, composing the 
library of the late Harry Edwards, were acquired through purchase 
by the Trustees. 
Four hundred volumes have been donated by Alexander I. 
Cotheal, Esq., and 168 volumes and 369 colored plates of birds, 
by Mr. Samuel P. Avery. Valuable donations have also been 
received from the Hon. Levi P. Morton, Hon. Roswell P. Flower, 
Mr. William E. Dodge, Mr. Morris K. Jesup and Mrs. S. Lawrence. 
Three large microscopes were presented by Mr. Cotheal. 
The Annual Reports and the volume of the Bulletin have been 
sent to kindred institutions here and abroad. 
Department of Public Instruction. — After the close of 
the Spring Course of Lectures to Teachers (given under the 
auspices of the State Superintendent of Public Instruction), and 
the passage by the Legislature of the usual appropriation for 
continuing this course of instruction, it was a surprise that this 
item failed to become a law ; but believing that upon a fuller 
knowledge of the public value of this work, the Governor would 
cordially aid the department to fulfil the terms of the contract 
with the Museum, the Trustees generously took upon themselves 
the expense of continuing the work until the next Legislature 
should convene and make the customary appropriation, and dur- 
ing the last autumn the following course of lectures was delivered 
to members of the Museum, by Professor A. S. Bickmore, and to 
which the teachers of New York City were invited : 
Oct. 26th The Atmosphere. 
Nov. 2d Morocco and the Riviera. 
" gth Mammals of North America. 
' ' 1 6th Portugal. 
' 23d Mammals of South America. 
" jot/i Central Spain — Madrid. 
Dec. yth Mammals of Europe and Northern Asia. 
' ' 14th Southern Spain — The Alhambra. 
Lectures were also delivered in the afternoon of Thanksgiving 
Day, Christmas, New Year's and Washington's Birthday ; these 
latter were free to the public. 
