1912.] 
NATURAL SCIENCES OF PHILADELPHIA. 
555 
efficiently. The services of Mr. Fox especially have enabled me to 
devote much of my time to preparation for the centenary meeting 
and to the editing of the volumes commemorative of the celebra¬ 
tion. 
Edward J. Nolan. 
Librarian. 
REPORT OF THE CURATORS. 
The fire-proofing of the buildings, through the aid of the Common¬ 
wealth of Pennsylvania, has at last been completed. But few 
appreciate what this means, as our institution is fortunate in 
possessing the largest natural history library in this country, 
in addition to the museum, exceedingly rich in the type specimens 
of so much importance to science. The Entomological Department 
has been settled in its new quarters, which are said by the workers 
to fully meet their demands. This department is rapidly advancing 
along an economic path. The discoveries made in late years of the 
relationship between disease in animal life and insect life mean 
much in the universal battle now being waged against diseases 
in man, Hie aetiology of which has heretofore been surrounded 
by mystery. 
The ornithological study collection has been moved back to its 
permanent quarters, where the specimens are kept in metal cases 
out of light and dust, while they are within very convenient reach 
of our investigators. It will be desirable to still further reduce the 
exhibit collection of our birds, as the many duplicates can better 
be preserved in storage cases and yet leave a sufficient number 
on exhibition to satisfy general educational purposes. The modern 
methods of mounting birds in their natural surroundings has been 
greatly extended in the local collection during the last year, and it 
supplies a good model for the rearrangement and extension of our 
general collection. 
The Herbarium has been enlarged so that it will permit a more 
systematic arrangement of the botanical collections than has been 
heretofore possible. 
The study collection of mollusks has been thoroughly arranged 
in the location provided for it two years ago and necessary cases 
for its expansion have been furnished. Detailed accounts of the 
work accomplished in these departments will be found in the sub¬ 
joined special reports. 
