S NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 
Lodge streets, and christened it the “ Geological and Agricultural 
Hall.” Here the collections were installed on the second and third 
floors of the main building, the Department of Agriculture having 
its offices and the New York State Agricultural Society its meeting 
and exhibition rooms elsewhere in the building. In these quarters 
the Museum expanded as best it could, chiefly along the lines of 
geology and paleontology, until by statute its custody came under 
the charge of the Board of Regents. With the accession of James 
Hall, State Geologist and Paleontologist, to the directorship in 1866, 
new life was infused into the institution, especially in its geological 
interests, though an anomalous situation was created by the fact 
that Hall as Director was responsible to the Regents of the Univer- 
sity but as State Geologist his responsibility was sometimes to the 
Secretary of State and at others to the Speaker of the Assembly 
to whom his annual reports in this capacity were addressed. ‘Time 
brought the absorption of all these duties and functions within the 
supervision of the University where they have since remained except 
for a brief period from 1893-098. James Hall’s chief official title 
and the one he most magnified was that of Paleontologist. It may 
be of passing interest to note that Hall’s service in this capacity 
and that of his immediate successor, the present writer, cover 
today a joint term of 103 years. Since the beginning, all depart- 
ments of science have natura'ly expanded and as the present statute 
defining the State Museum is very comprehensive, providing for 
a general museum which shall include science, history, industry, 
agriculture and art, efforts have been made to develop these fields 
so far as opportunity has afforded. 
It must be understood that the statutory term ‘“ State Museum ” 
stands for the work of scientific and other research carried on by a 
staff of experts, and not merely for the display of the natural 
resources of the State now exposed to public view in the Museum 
halls. It is to these research activities, of first moment in the service 
rendered by the institution, that attention is here especially directed. 
Scientific Activities 
The Geological Survey. This title and organization date back 
to 1836 and have never been discontinuous. The Survey exists in 
fact, through the appointment by the Regents of a State Geologist 
and State Paleontologist with a proper staff of expert associates. 
The labors of these experts through a long period of years have 
heaped up a vast storehouse of knowledge of the geological, min- 
