COUNCIL FOK 1838. 8 



subscription for the purchase of Mr. Allis's unrivalled collec- 

 tion of Comparative Osteology. That unique collection is now 

 the property of the Institution, at the cost of £350., of which 

 sum the principal part was raised by voluntary contribution. 

 Considerable additions to the department of Indian Ornithology 

 have been received, * including Lophophorus Impeyanus, and 

 Tragopan Hastingsii ; and the group of gallinaceous birds is in 

 consequence well worthy of inspection. The cases already in 

 the Museum for the reception of Birds have not required addi- 

 tions on this occasion, but the time appears rapidly approaching 

 when the whole of the space surrounding the large central 

 room will be filled with the ranks of the feathered creation. 

 A specimen of the mode in which this collection will be de- 

 scribed for reference is laid upon the table by Mr. Allis ; but 

 before prosecuting this useful work, or adding by purchase to 

 the ornithological series, it has been judged proper to prepare 

 and place in the cases the large arrear of birds which had 

 been presented at different times. This necessary work is 

 now accomplished, principally by the exertions of Mr. Baines, 

 who has also properly prepared all the Reptilia and Fishes ; 

 and thus, for the first time during many years, all the speci- 

 mens of vertebrated animals belonging to the Society may 

 be seen in the Museum, though not all as yet in their right 

 places. 



Nor has another interesting part of the Zoological collection 

 been neglected. One of the new cabinets for British Insects has 

 been completed, and Mr. T. Meynell has with much patience 

 scrutinized a considerable portion of the minute and beautiful 

 objects of his care, and arranged them most perfectly for 



* A valuable series from Dr. Wake ; another from Capt. Spencer, 39th Regt., 

 (through Capt. Straubenzee.) Among the beautiful specimens presented by Dr. 

 Wake, is an aged female of Lophophorus Impeyanus in the plumage of the male. 



b2 



