precious stones, and containing many rare tomes on these sub- 
jects, in Latin, dating back to the 15th and 16 centuries. 
The Skiff collection, containing many valuable books of 
reference on minerals, mining and metallurgy. (This collection 
has been placed in the Departmental Library of the Department 
of Geology, West Annex.) 
The collection of Russian works on forestry, presented by 
the Imperial Russian Commission to the World’s Columbian 
Exposition. 
The special library of Ornithology donated by Edward K. Ayer 
con ains a set of the original Audubon books and over three hund- 
red lare and valuable reference works. This, together with the 
proceedings and transactions of the leading ornithological and 
zoological societies, purchased of C. B. Cory, forms a very complete 
library on the subject. 
Upon the eases are the busts of the eminent scientists and 
naturalists: Geoffry St. Hilaire, Galileo, Escalapius, Columbus, 
Cuvier, Agazziz, Humboldt, Huxley, Buffon, Hippocrates, Dar- 
win and Linneus. 
Departmental Libraries have been established in all depart- 
ments of the Museum for working use by the Curators. 
The Rules give information as to the privileges of the Gen- 
eral Library. 
RULES OF THE LIBRARY. 
1. The Library is open daily, except Sunday, from 9:00 A. M. 
to 4:30 P. M. It is entirely a Library of reference. 
2. Books are to be used by the public exclusively in the room 
set apart for that purpose. 
3. Curators may have accommodation transfers to their re- 
spective Department Libraries. 
4. Books may be obtained by making application to the 
Librarian . 
5. Current periodicals can be consulted in the Reading Room, 
only. 
6. Books or periodicals deposited in the Departmental Li- 
