Page:A Short History of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia (1909).djvu/25

Rh At the stated meeting of June 30, 1846, Dr. Morton announced that Dr. Thomas B. Wilson, having purchased the famous collection of birds of the Due de Eivoli, embracing 10,000 specimens mounted and named, was desirous of arranging them in the museum. In furtherance of Dr. Wilson's wishes the building was extended thirty feet westward covering all the ground then at the disposal of the society. The library was moved from the second floor to the new room at the west end of the basement and the first meeting was held in it May 4, 1847. Vice-President Morton made a brief address of welcome and congratulation on taking the chair. He alluded feelingly to the services of those who had sustained the burden during the days of struggle and uncertainty and gave credit to those who were then devoted to the interests of the Academy, alluding especially to Dr. Wilson who had paid the entire cost of the extension to the building but, in deference to his modesty, without mentioning his name. Dr. Wilson's entire collection of birds, amounting to 26,000 mounted specimens and 2,000 skins, until then on deposit, was presented outright in 1860. The ornithological collection formed the most attractive feature of the museum, and for years gave it distinction in the appreciation of the public.

While the collection of birds was Dr. Wilson's most striking gift, every department of the museum and library received important additions from him. No other benefactor of the Academy has demonstrated his interest in its welfare with such active personal exertion or with such self-sacrificing labor. His name, therefore, should be among the first of those who deserve the gratitude of the society.

A second series of the Journal in quarto was begun in December, 1847, mainly through the influence and on the urging of Dr. Wilson who subsequently contributed liberally to the expenses of illustration, especially of the fine colored plates of Cassin's descriptions of new species of birds.

In 1848, there were on the lists of the society 245 members and 520 correspondents. The most active workers were Samuel George Morton, John Cassin, Joseph Leidy, William S. Vaux, Robert