1901.] NATURAL SCIENCES OF PHILADELPHIA. 765 
are received are placed under their respective headings, for the 
most part consecutively, a separate running number being used in 
each department. The subject catalogue in a measure supplies 
the needs of a more philosophic arrangement, and it is easy to 
make a memorandum of the position of books on a given subject. 
Still, the adoption of the decimal system of arrangement would 
be, in some respects, desirable ; but reclassification and recata¬ 
loguing will involve great inconvenience and a heavy expense, as 
the employment of a corps of trained assistants will be unavoid¬ 
able. It may be that some one interested in the welfare of the 
library will volunteer to defray the cost of making such a change 
in the prompt way which would involve the least discomfort, or the 
Academy in the future may find itself in a position to make the 
required appropriations. Until that time arrives it is a satisfac¬ 
tion to know that few or no complaints are heard from the earnest 
workers who use the library in yearly increasing numbers, and 
who are intelligently informed as to what they desire in the prose¬ 
cution of their work of original research. 
The statistics of work and growth for the year are sufficient 
evidence that this department is actively benefitted by the improved 
financial condition of the Academy. Every book added to the 
shelves as the result of the judicious administration of its resources 
is a memorial of the liberal and enlightened men who have selected 
the Academy as their agent in the advancement of science. 
Mr. William J. Fox has continued to render intelligent and 
willing assistance to the Librarian, and also in many important 
ways to the Recording Secretary. 
All of which is respectfully submitted, 
Edward J. Nolan, 
Librarian . 
