8 



Mr. Thos. Prince ; also to the present of 176 splendid 

 insects from Brazil, by Mrs. C. Wellbeloved. 20 

 Fresh Water Shells from America, and 273 Fossils, 

 by Robt. Hall, Esq. 169 Fossils, by Mr. John Hey, 

 F.L.S. and F.G.S. Curator, Very fine mass of Portland 

 Stone, by Mr. J. R. Hubbard. Several Geological 

 Specimens, and a very fine Specimen of Astreea Rotulosa, 

 by the Rev. Joseph Holmes. 



Nor less gratifying is it that these stores continue 

 to be an object of increasing attraction to our towns- 

 men and to strangers. The number of entries in the 

 Visitors' Book for the past year is 2042, and since most 



of these are in the form of "and party," the real 



number of those who have been thus gratified or 

 instructed is much greater, probably two or three times 

 as many. In the years 1832-3 the number of entries 

 was only 1100. 



*to dn the exercise of the discretion confided to those 

 Officers of the Society to whose department the 

 Museum more immediately belongs, purchases have 

 been made of some objects of great interest; but 

 remembering that sufficient cannot be taken from the 

 ordinary income to effect much in this way, without 

 seriously trenching on the fund requisite for unavoid- 

 able expenses; remembering also that many objects 

 which we now possess, highly useful for study, though 

 less showy in appearance, are, for the present, lost to 

 the scientific inquirer for want of cases ; and, above all, 

 bearing in niind the ruinous effect on societies, as on 

 individuals, of a load of debt, the Council would 

 strongly recommend very great vigilance and self- 

 denial in this branch of expense. 



