PROCEEDINGS OF PROVINCIAL SOCIETIES. 101 



parate branch is employed, totally unconnected with the other, so 

 that the student may perceive, at a casual glance, what birds belong 

 to the one genus and what to the other. To each bird is attached 

 a label with its generic, specific, and provincial names, and also a 

 number referring to a printed catalogue, by means of which their 

 regular order of succession may be traced. 



The arrangement of the collection of foreign birds is not yet com- 

 pleted. The classification of Cuvier, as illustrated by Griffith, is 

 adopted in preference to any other. This classification is far from 

 being a natural one ; but it is questionable whether any other has 

 yet been published to supersede it. That of Mr. Vigors will ulti- 

 mately be much superior, but for want of more ample specific illus- 

 trations it cannot at present well be employed. The arrangement 

 of all the objects of creation in one straight line will always be un- 

 natural. It is highly desirable, however, that the arrangement 

 should approach as near to the natural chain as possible, and at pre- 

 sent there is certainly ample room for improvement ; but the true 

 positions of some few species, as the Gypogeranus serpefUarius and 

 Maonura superha, will long, we fear, be a gordian knot that natu- 

 ralists will in vain attempt to unravel. 



The collection of British Coleopterous, Hymenopterous, and 

 Neuropterous insects, has been re-arranged, according to Stephens's 

 Synopsis. These departments are very thinly supplied with speci- 

 mens, a small portion only of the known species being yet ob- 

 tained. We hope that such collectors as possess duplicate specimens 

 will add their mite towards rendering the Manchester collection 

 as complete as possible. The British shells are equally incomplete, 

 but a small portion of the number existing in England having been 

 as yet procured. The collection of foreign shells is far more exten- 

 sive, and is at present under process of arrangement, according to 

 the system of Lamarck. Here some difficulty exists in introducing 

 the new genera of Sowerby and Broderip, the works of the former 

 being published in so unconnected a form. 



The greatest desideratum now consists in illustrative geological 

 specimens. Those that the Society possess are arranged upon 

 sloping shelves, as adopted in the museum at Scarborough. This 

 plan has certainly some imperfections ; but in districts where exten- 

 sive natural sections cannot be met with, it materially assists in giv- 

 ing the student a distinct idea of the principles of stratification, and 

 the relative antiquity of rocks. 



The museum contains some beautiful specimens of Mammalia, 

 especially of a few of the larger species. The space these occupy, 

 and the great expense attendant upon the means of obtaining them, 

 have hitherto prevented the Society from possessing so complete a 

 collection as would be desirable; but, in beauty of appearance, such 

 specimens as are already in the museum will yield to none. 



It is easy to foresee the future prospects of this valuable institu- 

 tion. If it continues to increase with the same rapidity that has 

 been so characteristic of its progress during the last fourteen years. 



