002 ANNUAL RECORD OF SCIENCE AND INDUSTRY. 



2. Objects in wall-cases can be seen only on one side, which, 

 as all sides of natural objects require to be seen, would ne- 

 cessitate many specimens to do the duty of one. 



3. The observer on one side, from which alone he can see 

 an object, will generally stand in his own light, and will often 

 have distinct vision further impaired by reflection from the 

 G-lass. 



4. When small objects occur alternately with large ones a 

 great waste of space results, and the attention is distracted 

 from the less conspicuous object. 



5. The use of wall-cases on one side of a gallery for an en- 

 tire museum is an expensive and wasteful mode of arrange- 

 ment. 



Professor Archer indorsed the statements of Mr. "Wallace, 

 and remarked that, in his opinion, the best use of wall space 

 is for purposes of illustration, but he does not consider it at 

 all adapted for a large number of objects of natural history. 

 He indicated his preference for the plan adopted for the 

 South Kensington Museum, of having a succession of detach- 

 ed cases, each complete in itself, and inclosed in glass, and 

 adapted for the reception and exhibition of a special group 

 of forms, different sizes of these cases being so arranged as to 

 admit of the varying dimensions of the sections to be exhib- 

 ited. The paper of Dr. Sclater, and the discussion following 

 it, may be read with profit by all those who have public mu- 

 seums in charge, or who contemplate the erection of cases 

 for the exhibition of specimens of natural history. 12 J, 

 October 6, 458. 



TROPOSED CONNECTION OF SCIENCE AND THE BRITISH 



GOVERNMENT. 



Colonel Strange, in view of the want of harmony between 

 the British government and the learned men of the country 

 upon scientific questions, suggests that two additions be 

 made to the ministry ; first, a Minister of Science, and, sec- 

 ond, a permanent Consultative Council, to advise the various 

 departments through the minister. 



The duties of the council would be, first, to advise the 

 government on all questions arising in the ordinary routine 

 of administration submitted to it by the various depart- 

 ments; second, to advise government on special questions, 



