4 



The Museum, though donations are not so nume- 

 rous as when the claims of the society were recommended 

 by their novelty, and there were fewer neighbouring 

 associations to divide the attention of the public, has, 

 nevertheless, received many important additions, afford- 

 ing satisfactory evidence of the lively interest which the 

 supporters of the institution continue to take in its suc- 

 cess. The principal additions, of which the Council feel 

 called upon to make more especial mention, are the two 

 Alligators (Lacerta Lucius)^ one of which is ten feet 

 long, the Racoon and three Snakes, from America, 

 by John Gravely, Esq., of Halton ; a fine specimen of 

 the Albatros (Diomedia E:rulans), by Mr. Geo. Mor- 

 LEY ; several impressions of ancient seals and casts of 

 rare British Asterise, by Mr. Samuel Woodward, a 

 gentleman to whom the society have been many times 

 indebted for donations ; a collection, consisting of 256 

 British and Foreign Insects, by Mr. Abraham Clap- 

 ham ; and a collection of Fossil Shells, from the Paris 

 Basin, in a high state of preservation, which, together 

 with some Birds of rarity, have been purchased by 

 the society. An inspection of the enumeration ap- 

 pended to the report will show that many of the additions 

 are very important, as illustrative of particular groups, 

 and supplying many connecting links, the value of which 

 those who are engaged in the study of Natural History 

 can appreciate more easily than they can describe. In 

 the collection of Insects many additions have been made 

 by the kindness of distant friends ; and the arrangement 

 of the Shells, according to the system of Lamarck, has 

 been completed as far as practicable, but the Council 



