THE COUNCIL. O 



classes, from the shores of the South of England. The Col- 

 lection of British Birds has been arranged and named upon 

 a plan which allows of the work being gradually completed : 

 but this was found impracticable with respect to Foreign 

 Birds, (now exceeding one thousand in number,) until they 

 should be all completely mounted. The cost of this process 

 for several hundred birds was too great for the Council 

 hastily to incur : the work is however proceeding, and it will 

 be for the next Council to ascertain how far the statement 

 of finances, hereafter appended, will justify a more vigorous 

 prosecution of it. It is proposed to make an alteration in 

 this room, by removing the insects to a cabinet of drawers : 

 thus providing additional space for the complete classification 

 of a larger series of Foreign and British Shells. 



The arrangement of the Botanical Collections has been 

 suspended in consequence of the want of a suitable receptacle 

 for them ; this deficiency may perhaps be supplied. 



The state of the Garden has been frequently brought under 

 the consideration of the Council ; and a large quantity of 

 soil and peat has been added to particular parts ; a con- 

 siderable improvement has been effected near the multangular 

 tower, by an alteration of the line of the boundary wall, and 

 permission has been given for the erection of a Conservatory 

 by the Sub-Curator. 



The Instruments in the Observatory have been in continual 

 use ; and some improvements have been effected in the arrange- 

 ment and employment of them ; an interesting addition has 

 been made in the curious equatorial of Mr. Abraham Sharpe, 

 which has been presented by Mr. Newman. The expenses 

 of this useful establishment have been hitherto defrayed by 

 the gentlemen who give their time and skill to the task of 

 observation ; the debt left on the erection of the building has 

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