THK COUNCIL. 7 



spicuous ornaments of the museum ; and in determining to 

 give effect to the recommendation in the last year's Report, 

 the only hesitation felt by the Council regarded the prudence 

 of pledging the Society's resources to the extent of £350. 



In this difficulty the liberal offer of Earl Fitzwilliam to 

 head a subscription in aid of the Society's funds was gratefully 

 accepted, and the Coimcil, not doubting that the members 

 would gladly second the example of their President, authorised 

 a committee to conclude the purchase. The meeting will 

 learn with satisfaction that the sum of <£*230. has been already 

 subscribed for this object, and there is reason to hope the 

 supply is not yet exhausted. 



Among the subjects requiring attention during the ensuing 

 year, the construction of new cases to hold the collection of 

 quadrupeds is prominent. The Council obtamed estimates 

 for fitting up the walls of the mineral room, which is the most 

 appropriate situation ; but they resolved to refer to the Annual 

 Meeting the question when the work should be undertaken. 

 If furnished with cases on three sides, that room would afford 

 for many years abundant space for the augmentations which 

 may reasonably be expected in the zoological collections. There 

 is no immediate need for further disbursements in new cases, 

 except to complete the insect cabinets ; little need be spent in 

 repairs or purchases ; =£'20. a-year may be deducted from the 

 purchase of books ; the Manor Shore will eventually become a 

 source of profit ; and many new candidates have announced 

 their desire to join the Society. All these circumstances are 

 favourable to the determination of fitting up the mineral room, 

 to the extent proposed, immediately ; and though an expense 

 of dfi'SOO. is not to be rashly incurred, the meeting will recol- 

 lect that the expenditure cannot be long delayed, if the dona- 

 tions which the Society continually receives are to be exhibited 

 in an order acceptable to the student, satisfactory to the donor, 

 and gratifying to the public. 



B 4 



