hepobt. 11 



In the course of four years, there Lave been accumulated in 

 this provincial collection, nine thousand one hundred 

 AND EIGHTY-THREE spccimcns in the departments of Geology 

 and Mineralogy alone, of which eight thousand two hun- 

 dred AND TWO have been donations. A Museum thus sup- 

 ported cannot fail to rise into importance ; and this kind of 

 support an institution may usually expect, which shows 

 itself careful in preserving the objects of science entrusted to 

 its keeping, and capable of turning them to account. 



The condition, which those who contribute such objects 

 io a public institution arc entitled to demand, is, that they 

 shall be made more instructive than they could have been ia 

 private hands ; a condition too often very little attended to, 

 or, from a want of regular arrangement, very imperfectly 

 fulfilled. It has always been kept in view by this Society; 

 and the order which has been, from the first, observed in 

 entering donations on the inventories of the Museum, and 

 classing them on its shelves, has saved it from the embarrass- 

 ment of an useless heap of undistinguished specimens. The 

 Council have the satisfaction of adding, that the appointment 

 made in the beginning of the year, which secured to the 

 Institution the valuable services of Mr. Phillips, has enabled 

 them to realize still moj-e completely their wishes in this 

 respect, and to render the Society's collection much more 

 accessible and instructive. 



But though, where a spirit of liberal contribution exists, a 

 Society, which has obtained the confidence of the public, may 



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