429 
[Annual Meeting - , 
1S92.] 
present only about $300 per year, plus its own earnings, and 
the small paid staff of two assistants, one of these on half time. 
The finishing of the mineralogical and geological collection re- 
quired, however, a considerable sum, probably about six thousand 
dollars exclusive of the printing of the guide to mineralogjr. The 
guide to the geological collections is now in press, and is 
printed by private donation and subscription. The greatest dif- 
ficulty has been to obtain specimens ; this was overcome in large 
measure by the solicitation of donations, the personal exertions of 
the assistant and the Curator, and considerable has come from 
the Teachers’ School of Science and the department for the sale 
of geological specimens. 1 The New England department consists 
of widely separated collections ; the minerals of New England are 
in the mineralogical department, the rocks in the geological 
department, and so on. It is hoped that in course of time 
either in this building or some other, these may be brought to- 
gether, to form by themselves a series capable of exhibiting to 
a visitor all the natural history of New England. We are ready 
for this move now and can immediately fill a suite of rooms with 
such an exhibit. 
We have also in course of preparation by Mr. Crosby, an ex- 
position of the geology of Boston and its vicinity ; this embodies 
the results of a large amount of original work and would of itself 
fill one room. Most of these collections are now stored in rooms 
A to J inclusive. There is besides the collections included in 
Educational series and New England series, another series of 
Systematic collections, all of which have been labeled and cata- 
logued, and are kept in good condition by constant inspection 
and care. These are included in the gallery of room J and floors 
of rooms Iv and N together with certain parts of the New Eng- 
land collections. 
1 This has been discontinued during the past year. It was allowed a place in our 
building in 1880 in order that Professor Crosby should be able to supply teachers 
with suites of specimens illustrating his Science Guide. It has continued this work 
effectively since that date and the objects of the Teachers’ School of Science have 
been materially promoted through this means. It has also helped us to support 
several students and assistants whose work has been of direct benefit to the Museum 
and to the Society. Nevertheless its proper development could not be attained while 
carried on in an unused part of our basement and this consideration, with the fact that 
the room would shortly be needed for our own occupancy, caused its removal into the 
hands of Mr. Geo. B. Frazar of West Medford. 
