NATURAL SCIENCES OF PHILADELPHIA. 
429 
1889.] 
elaborate systems of bibliographical classification. If in the future 
it be found desirable to prepare special hand-lists for the use of stu¬ 
dents in the different departments of the Academy this can readily 
be done bv copying the author and subject entries belonging to the 
several classes as indicated by the class abbreviation written on the 
upper left-hand margin of the cards. 
Most of the work here reported, apart from the daily routine of 
the library, has depended on the continued engagement, thanks 
to a number of liberal friends of the Academy, of Signor Emanuele 
Fronani whose efficient assistance the Librarian has pleasure in ac¬ 
knowledging. In the current work of the year the intelligent aid 
rendered by William J. Fox is also worthy of note. 
All of which is respectfully submitted, 
Edw. J. Nolan, 
Librarian. 
REPORT OF THE CURATORS. 
The Curators present the following statement of the Curator-in- 
Charge as their report for the year 1889 :— 
The Curator-in-Charge respectfully reports that the general con¬ 
dition of the Academy’s collections is satisfactory, except in so far 
as excessive crowding of material has interfered with the proper dis¬ 
play and systematic placing of specimens. This lack of room has 
been an evil badly felt by the Academy for several years—indeed, 
almost from the date of the first occupation of the present building. 
The surprisingly rapid growth of the collections in certain depart¬ 
ments has kept far ahead of the Academy’s power to provide suita¬ 
ble accommodation, and the time has at last arrived when even ex¬ 
cessive crowding has reached a practical limit. The numerous ap¬ 
peals for relief, that have been made from time to time, several of 
them addressed to the Legislature of the State, and which have 
been but indifferently responded to, have finally met with substantial 
recognition in an appropriation of 850,000 made by the last Legisla¬ 
ture. The hope is held out that a like appropriation, to cover the 
full amount of the Academy’s application to the State for the 
purposes of a new building, may be made by the Legislature at its 
next session. 
With the necessities of existing conditions, and the encourage¬ 
ment of a friendly response from the generous citizens of our 
