The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1898-12-14

the loan of Il fine pair of hint-lock duel
ling pistols and n revolutionary sword,
and Colonel Odds has again been instru-
mental i'll securing number of interest
ing specimens. A relic of the torpedo
boat WinSlow is complete cartridge
and shell from the gun beside which
Ensign Bagley was killed. donated by
Mr.. j. G. Judkins, of Portsmouth, Va
THE Geological Department has also
received its share of additions. DIR. W.
f.. Headen. of Morehead City. recently
donated specimen of the Octopus, or
Devil Fish, which, while not of large
size, makes Il very interesting accession
to our marine collections, it being Il
great rarity on our coast The final re-
suits of the collections made by Mr.
T. G. Pearson in the Eastern part Of
the State during the summer. have all
been received and additional storage
cabinets had to be made in which to
stow the specimens away until such
a time rs they could be worked up in
shape for exhibition. The jar collec-
ton of marine invertebrates. comprising
40 jars of specimens illustrating the
marine fauna and fora of the State
made by Mr.. Pearson, under the direc-
ton of DR.. II. V. Wilson. Professor of
Biology, ut the State University, has
been received, overhauled and placed on
exhibition, completely filling, and even
crowding. one of the wall cases in the
Geological room. DIR. j. w. =. Smith
wick, of La Grange. has kindly donated
his collection of native bird eggs to the
Museum, without reserve, it containing
about seven hundred specimens of over
seventy species. This collection has been
properly arranged as to species and now
fills one large S-foot show case complete
ly. A number of interesting specimens
of reptiles. birds and animals have been
received and some have been prepared
and placed on exhibition.
Special efforts are being made this
winter to secure a pair of large bears
for the Museum. Orders are out with Il
number Of the best hunters i'll the State,
and advertisements have been placed i'll
some of the papers covering the region
most prolific in this respect. From data
at hand it is confidently expected that
this course will be fruitful of results.
This bear question causes another to
arise.
with the exception of a few quite
small cases only suitable for small or
medium sized specimens, the Geological
room is now full, space in some other
room being necessary for the installation
of the bear case when prepared. The
chronological room is full. The room de-
voted to ores and economic minerals is
crowded with specimens, no room what
ever in that department being available
for the collection of geological specimens
now in the hands of the Geological Sur
vey The Agricultural and Horticul-
tural exhibits have already overlooked
into the adjoining room. The Forestry
Department contains practically no va
cant spaces, with some exhibits belong
ing there now stored away. In the
Mineral Department enough space is va
cant to allow for the natural growth
of this collection, but not to receive any
overflow from other departments. The
long room that contains the fruit collec-
ton now only contains, besides the fruit,
a secondary collection of wood specimens
and some odds and ends This room is
therefore the only space available for
the natural growth of the Museum in
all departments. One-half of this ought
to be used for an extension of the Agri-
cultural eAHiDlt, WHICH Is Ut present. TOO
much crowded and needs more room
leaving a space of only 50x30 feet for
growth in all other departments. The
necessities of the Museum, if it should
continue to progress in future, as it
has in the past, will soon call for an
additional building. and l beg to call
this matter to the attention of the Board
for such action as they may deem
proper.
Il respectfully request the appropria-
ton of the sum of $500 for special cases
that are likely to become necessary du-
ring the coming six months. This in
cludes estimate for a case for the bears,
one for large marine specimens now be-
ing worked up by the curator, and sew
eral for bird groups in course of prep
aration."
The curator also acknowledges con-
tributions from Hubert Hill. of Raleigh;
John r. Smith, of Goldsboro: J. NJ.
Allen. of Rutherfordton; J. w. Harden,
of Raleigh, and Cleophas Allen, of
Waynesville.
Closing his report he says: "From
what / see and hear from visitors. am
confident that the Museum is becoming
more and more source of pride to the
people of the State, and that it is the
most valuable advertising medium that
North Carolina has