12 
The Legislature of Massachusetts in 1871 appropriated for 
the use of the museum of Comparative Zoology $50,000, and in 
1873, $25,000. During this year Mr. Alexander Agassiz pre¬ 
sented $25,000 and Mr. Shaw $100,000 for the same purpose. 
In October last, the late and universally lamented Professor 
Louis Agassiz announced that Mr. Anderson had consented to 
make the natural history school, established by his munificent 
gift of the island of Penikese and $50,000, a part of the Museum 
of Comparative Zoology. Mr. Anderson’s contributions to the 
cause of the natural sciences are estimated at $150,000. 
Prior to the contributions made this year, amounting to 
$150,000, besides the Penikese establishment, $400,000 had been 
spent on the Museum of Comparative Zoology at Cambridge, 
which was founded in 1847. Of this sum $215,000 have been 
contributed by the State. The annual income of its funded 
capital is $10,500. 
It is said that $30,000 worth of alcohol were used in pre¬ 
serving the collections made by Professor Agassiz in Brazil; 
and that more than 3500 gallons have been used this year in 
repacking those of the Hassler expedition. 
The Boston Society of Natural History, founded April, 1830, 
is an enduring testimonial of the intelligent liberality of its 
neighbors. The report of the treasurer of the Society, April 
30,1872, shows that it has a yearly income from invested funds, 
created by donations and bequests, of $18,391, besides $1450, 
received in initiation fees, and annual contributions from mem¬ 
bers. The Society expends $6028 in salaries ; and on account 
of printing, in excess of the proceeds of sales of publications, 
$2174. After defraying all expenses for the year, there was a 
balance in the treasury of $3649 89. 
At New Haven, the degree of encouragement extended to 
education and to the cultivation of the natural sciences is very 
gratifying. “The Catalogue of Yale,” June 1, 1873, indicates 
that its museums, and libraries, and art galleries will become 
rivals of the best in a very few years. 
These instances are sufficient to show why we are likely to 
be left lagging in the rear, notwithstanding the vast museum 
