O. MISCELLANEOUS. 597 



cd in the reigns of Charles II., James II., and William. III., 

 forming a valuable addition to the Roxburgh, Bagford, and 



other collections already in the Museum ; fourth, a selection 

 of linguistic books, chiefly from the library of Burgawd des 

 Marets, comprising works in the Basque language, in the pa- 

 tois dialects of France, Spain, and Italy, in Breton and other 

 Celtic languages; fifth, several hundred additional Russian 

 works of great value ; sixth, a collection of Indo-Portuguese 

 works, printed at Goa ; and, seventh, a large number of Chi- 

 nese classical and historical-works. 



The department of manuscripts during the year has 

 been increased by 4415 pieces, of which 3046 are charters. 

 A long list is given in the return of manuscripts of special 

 interest. 



The Oriental department has been considerably enriched, 

 especially in the Japanese section. 



In the Museum, the additions to the department of antiqui- 

 ties have been extensive : Oriental, Greek, Roman, British, 

 and mediaeval, as also the Slade and Christy collections. The 

 Christy collection is especially rich in American antiquities. 

 The accessions to the department of coins and medals 

 amounted to 1605 pieces, the greater part of them mediaeval 

 and modern. 



In the department of natural history the additions amount- 

 ed to 30,424, of which 10,644 have been registered in the sec- 

 tion of zoology, 18,501 in that of geology, and 12,097 in that 

 of mineralogy. The collections are announced as being in 

 very good condition, although the crowded state of the rooms 

 has prevented the exhibition to the public of any consider- 

 able portion. Of the zoological specimens enumerated, 231 

 are mammals, 4359 birds, 258 reptiles, and 1014 fishes, the 

 remainder being invertebrates. Among these the interesting 

 novelties are too numerous to be mentioned in detail. 



The botanical department has also received its share of 

 additions, although their precise number is not indicated. 



To the department of prints and drawings there have been 

 added during the year 10,015 pieces, of which about 2000 

 were presented, and the remainder purchased. 



The British Museum, as is well known, receives large ap- 

 propriations annually, amounting usually to about 120,000, 

 or $600,000, for the purchase of articles, and for the expenses 



