President’’ s Annual Address. 
35 
tain many peculiar insects, interesting from their large size, 
or remarkable form. 
Among the lower invertebrates, a case of corals and other 
radiates will add to our means of instruction. A feature of 
the Mechanics’ Institute Museum, which is included in the 
collections handed over to us, are models of improvements in 
ship-building and other arts which have flourished, or are still 
carried on among us. 
By the assumption of the charge of this museum, the 
society has put itself under considerable pecuniary obligation, 
both for purchase and maintainance. It will be necessary to 
fit up and heat additional rooms, and further expense will be 
incurred for attendance, fuel, light, and insurance. 
The arrangement of the Gresner collection, made some fifty 
years ago, is not at all up to modern ideas, and an entire 
revision and re-cataloguing of the museum is urgently called 
for. Tor all these calls, as well as the expense of moving, 
we hope that means will be provided. The council of the 
society in the purchase of this museum have been able to 
preserve to the city a collection which otherwise would have 
been dispersed, and would have passed into private hands, 
but we now hope may, for many years to come, be of publio 
utility to the citizens of St. John. 
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