64 Notes on the fiiog. 



frog being found in a real solid block of coal ; tliat its fortunate possessor is 

 say Mr. John Snooks, of the Fleece, who will have infinite pleasure in shew- 

 ing it to all his friends. Half the country side flock to see it, and as a 

 natural consequence, the contents of honest John's beer-barrel go off in a 

 rapid consumption ; he chuckles at the success of his curiosity, which liter- 

 ally becomes a real golden fleece. 



Rarities of this sort may be seen in many of our provincial museums, but 

 being often crowded amidst a variety of other articles, are apt to be over- 

 looked. Geological specimens, it is true, generally get tbe best place in 

 public collections, both as regards light and favourable ari*angement. The 

 zoological department — invai'iably possessing most interest to the generality 

 of peoijle — is too often ill lighted, badly ventilated, and suffering from damp- 

 ness. This last is the greatest evil and should be first i-emedied. One or 

 two collections I have lately visited, contain the most abject specimens of 

 taxidermy it is possible to conceive The representatives of what were once 

 beautiful, are now sad pitiful objects, icell stuffed it is true — but we call a 

 goose well stuffed when filled with sage and onions. Not the least attention 

 has been paid to anatomy. Here stands what was once a lord of the animal 

 creation, to whom we should be doing charitable justice, by removing the 

 "FelisLeo, " and substituting " This is the Lion." A baboon is grinning 

 most horribly, perhaps because one of his eyes is determined on dropping 

 out. A veritable Russian bear — though of a different species to the Czar — 

 looks us in the face, a woeful type of " looped and windowed raggedness." — 

 Turning to an odd shrivelled up lump of leather, we are gravely given to 

 understand it is a defunct bat ! With shivering steps — for the apartment 

 savours strongly of ague and rheumatism — we turn to the birds. It must 

 surely be the moulting season. That cock though plumes himself on having 

 a couple of goodly tail feathers still left — but what would Juno have said, 

 after paying her sixpence, to find her dear bird in such a pickle. The 

 aquatic tribe are rejoicing in their own element, the water pouring down the 

 cases after each shower — as for the matter of mouldy mandibles, why, don't 

 mention it. Now this is but a true picture of too many public museums, but 

 the evil, I am happy to say, is somewhat diminishing. 



Our Philosophical Society, here, has recently made a very judicious 

 alteration, the public being now admitted to their valuable museum " at the 

 small charge of one penny," as showmen have it ; and their talented curator, 

 Mr. Henry Denny, has drawn up a " Companion," which to the student will 

 be of great service. Now this is a step in the right direction, and an example 

 that similar societies may profit by. I should much like to see the study of 

 Natural History more genei*ally introduced — as far as practicable — as a part 

 of English education. It is a science which soon rivets the attention of 

 youth, and would serve as a relaxation from the severer studies, besides ex- 

 citing laudable curiosity, and awakening in the mind a spirit of keen observa- 



