ON NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUMS. IJ 



coast of our county. A chart shows the physical conditions of 

 the North Sea, whilst a large series of coloured plates, from 

 Couch's work, serves further to illustrate the local ichthyology. 

 Let the anglers in the Essex rivers never forget that certain 

 freshwater fishes are still wanted to complete the collection ; and, 

 I believe, that some of the less common marine species are also 

 needed. 



In a glass case on the left of the entrance an attempt is made 

 to illustrate the Amphibians and Reptiles of Essex. A fairly com- 

 plete set of the Mammals of Essex, with skulls and skeletons of 

 many species, is at present placed in the Small Hall, near the 

 Curator's Room. The Birds of Essex are represented by a series 

 of stuffed specimens in the glass cases which run round the walls 

 of the museum, whilst these birds are associated in many cases 

 with their nests and eggs, forming groups which offer an 

 interesting insight into local bird-life. Many of the ornithological 

 specimens are due to the generosity of Dr. Laver, of Colchester, 

 who has also presented valuable collections of local lepidoptera 

 and land and fresh-water shells. 



It is the intention of the Curator to collect a series of speci- 

 mens of local interest, in illustration of Economic Zoology, 

 including especially the Mollusca and Crustacea which come into 

 London from the estuary of the Thames and other parts of the 

 Essex coast. Such a collection would do much to excite an 

 interest in familiar objects, and might be useful as serving to 

 show the visitor that science does not stand aloof from the 

 incidents of daily life. 



In the Small Hall, to which reference has been made above, 

 there is now exhibited a small collection of Prehistoric and other 

 Antiquities, including many objects of local interest, especially the 

 relics from the Dene-holes, the Red Hills, and the settlement at 

 Braintree. Further reference to these is rendered unnecessary, 

 however, by the excellent descriptions in the little handbook by 

 Mr. F. W. Reader. 17 Although scarcely coming within the scope 

 of a museum mainly devoted to natural history, I should like to 

 see our museum possess a Technological Department, in which the 

 industries of Essex should be illustrated, especially those which 

 are extinct or tending to extinction. 



17 A Handbook to the Collection of Prehistoric Objects in the Essex Museum of Natural 

 History. By F. W. Reader. b 



