28 NATURAL SCIENCE. 



July, 



of space, to adopt measures for the disposal of its collections and 

 library, and subsequently, about the year 1880, some of the rarer 

 stuffed birds were transferred to the Dubhn Society's Museum. Since 

 then the Society has suspended operations. But the Naturalists' Field 

 Club is now a flourishing young society. 



Geological Survey. 



The Geological Survey commenced existence as a branch of the 

 Ordnance Survey in 1832. It was placed under the charge of 

 Captain Portlock. Large collections were made of zoological 

 and botanical, as well as of geological, specimens. In 1844 the 

 Government of the day detached the Geological from the Ordnance 

 Survey, and created it into a separate branch, Sir H. T. De la Beche 

 being appointed Director-General. 



As provided for in Lord Sandon's letter of the 9th February, 1876, 

 the collection of the Geological Survey, consisting mainly of specimens of 

 the rocks and fossils of Ireland, together with a few British and foreign 

 examples for comparison, was transferred from the College of Science 

 during the year 1890, to the gallery in our Museum specially prepared 

 for its reception. On being thus for the first time fairly spread out for 

 examination, it became apparent that there were not a few gaps, but 

 these have been to a large extent since supplied by the labours of 

 the officers of the Survey, in whose custody the collection still 

 remains. And a very interesting and instructive collection you will 

 find it now to be. 



Museum of Irish Industry. 



It was decided by her Majesty's Government in 1845 — Sir 

 R. Peel being Prime Minister — to estabhsh in Dubhn an institution 

 somewhat on the plan of the Museum of Practical Geology in 

 London, but more extended in its objects, as it was to embrace the 

 general range of the Industrial Arts. Lord Castlemaine's house in 

 Stephen's Green was taken for the purpose. The preparations of 

 the galleries lasted from 1847-1852. 



In addition to the more purely Exhibitional Department, situated 

 in the galleries, there were at first established as portions of the institu- 

 tion : — 



1. A Government School of Science applied to Mining and the 

 Arts. 



2. A Chemical Department, with laboratories, first termed 

 *' Museum of Economic Geology," afterwards changed to Museum of 

 Industry. In 1853, it was transferred from the Department of Works 

 to that of Science and Art, then newly created as a branch of the Board 

 of Trade. 



This Museum was abolished as such in the year 1865, and 

 certain of the collections have since been transferred to our National 

 Museum collection. 



