HYATT: REPORT OF THE CURATOR. 
279 
ered in the autumn of 1896, by Mr. Grabau, was repeated by request 
during October and November, 1897, and consisted of eight lectures 
delivered in the Society’s lecture room. 
Mineralogy and Geology. 
Additions to the general collections since my last report have 
not been numerous, but they consist almost wholly of specimens 
specially selected for their intrinsic interest or educational value or 
to till gaps in the collections, and have consequently been of unusual 
value. As regards minerals, Professor Crosby has endeavored to 
build up and increase the New England collection, with a view to 
making it a more representative and creditable exhibit. Of the 130 
new mineral specimens, 75 have been added to the New England 
collection and 55 to the general collection. The Society’s aims and 
location require that the New England minerals should be the best 
in existence; and it is possible to make it so, if we were able to 
secure the specimens that are offered from time to time. 
The new geological specimens, aside from the Boston Basin 
material, are few. They include several valuable illustrations pre¬ 
sented by Mrs. J. M. Arms Sheldon, a series of specimens from the 
sandstone dikes of Ute Pass, Colorado, described by Professor 
Crosby in a recent paper in the Bulletin of the Essex institute; also 
three large and typical examples of the concretionary or “ klot ” 
granite from Smaland, Sweden, and a large group of basalt 
columns from Bennau in the volcanic district of the Rhine. The 
oost of the klot granite is $15, and of the basalt columns $185. Of 
this $200, Professor Crosby has already paid $50, which he has 
donated to the Society, and he is now endeavoring to provide for 
the remaining $150; any contributions for this purpose will be 
gladly received. The basalt columns are set up in our vestibule, 
and this is a unique and instructive illustration. 
For pecuniary assistance in the purchase of minerals the thanks 
of the Society are due to Miss Marian Hovey and Mr. Thomas 
Gath eld. 
Geology of the Boston Basin. 
Professor Crosby’s investigation of the Blue Hill’s complex, — the 
third part of the geology of the Boston Basin, — is completed, and 
