298 PROCEEDINGS OP PROVINCIAL SOCIETIES. 



and numerous accession of members, and states their present number 

 to amount to 174, including persons the most eminent in rank and 

 distinguished in science and literature in these counties. The coun- 

 cil next proceed to a summary enumeration of the donations which 

 have been presented to the museum, and a review of the present 

 state and prospect of its several departments. The chief value of 

 the geological collection is stated to consist, at present, in the speci- 

 mens of fossil plants from the coal-measures of different districts of 

 England, particularly of Shropshire, presented by Dr. Du Gardj 

 and several other donors. The mineralogical department is next 

 noticed, and a wish expressed for more ample contributions of the 

 rare and beautiful minerals afforded by the mining districts of this 

 neighbourhood. The botanical collection is slated to have already 

 made great progress, through the large and valuable donations of 

 W. A. Leighton, Esq., Dr. Wilson, and others ; and through the 

 further contributions promised to it, especially by C. C. Babington, 

 Esq., of Cambridge, and J. E. Bowman, Esq., of Gresford (both 

 distinguished botanists), its speedy attainment to a high degree of 

 completeness is confidently predicted by the council . In the depart- 

 ment of zoology, some beautiful skeletons of quadrupeds and reptiles 

 (the gift of T. C. Eyton, Esq., and Mr. T. B. Barrett), are the 

 subject of high commendation, both on account of the talent and 

 industry displayed in their preparation, and the great utility of such 

 specimens to zoological science. Other specimens of vertebrated 

 animals are alluded to ; and, after pointing out the desirableness of 

 acquiring a complete collection of British birds, and alluding to the 

 zeal and ability of the curator of ornithology (T. C. Eyton, Esq.), 

 the council add their confident hope that his efforts will be seconded 

 by all who have the opportunity ; and, in particular, that gentlemen 

 will kindly appropriate to the museum any rare birds which they 

 may meet with in their shooting excursions, and will give similar 

 directions to their gamekeepers ; by which means the society's cabi- 

 nets would be speedily stored with the birds of the neighbouring 

 districts, at no cost, and little trouble to the donors. The donations 

 to the cabinet of entomology are next referred to ; and the council 

 point out the certainty derived from the well-known ability and 

 devotion of the curators (the Rev. F. W. Hope, and W. W. Wat- 

 kins, Esq.) to this pursuit, that all donations to this department will 

 be made most available for the illustration of this fascinating and 

 popular branch of natural history. The beginning of a cabinet of 

 conchology is next noticed, with a request for further donations in 

 that department. 



In that of antiquities, the munificent and most valuable donation, 

 by Archdeacon Butler, of an Egyptian mummy, in its two cases, in 

 fine preservation, and enriched with hieroglyphics, is noticed as 

 demanding the society's warmest gratitude, — not only from its great 

 intrinsic value, and the deeply-interesting historical associations 

 connected with it, but also as a lasting and splendid memorial of the 

 attachment of the donor to the interests of the society. 



