306 THE CANADIAN NATURALIST. [Aug. 



They are also, in conclusion, glad to find that more enlightened 

 views are prevalent with regard to the protection of small birds j 

 this is partly owing to the representations made by our Society, 

 and in part to the efforts of the Fish and Game Protection Club, 

 with whom we cannot too cordially co-operate. 



REPORT OE THE SCIENTIFIC CURATOR. 



The most important work of the past summer has been the 

 formation of a good entomological collection. Nearly all the old 

 Canadian specimens which had become injured, and faded by 

 exposure, have been replaced by fresh examples. By the exer- 

 tions of friends our local collections have more than doubled lately ; 

 not only have we filled the twenty-six drawers of our cabinet, but 

 we have four cases full over and above these. As much has been 

 done in the way of naming and classifying our specimens as the present 

 state of our knowledge of Canadian insects warrants. The Coleoptera 

 and the diurnal Lepidoptera are for the most part named. Many 

 of the nocturnal Lepidoptera, and most of the Hymenoptera, Dip- 

 tera, Neuroptera, Orthoptera, and Hemiptera of this country have 

 yet to be determined. It is hoped that with the assistance of the 

 Entomological branch of our Society, some steps may be taken 

 in this direction. The large and interesting collection of minerals 

 contained in the Museum has occupied a considerable portion of 

 my time. A number of cases that have not been opened for years, 

 have been unpacked, and their contents carefully looked over. 

 Several specimens that were missing in Dr. Holmes' collection, have 

 been restored to their place, and labelled. Including these, and 

 several specimens placed in this collection for the sake of compa- 

 rison, the series now consists of upwards of 1400 specimens from 

 various parts of the world, all of which are carefully labelled. A 

 collection of Canadian rocks and minerals has been formed to 

 illustrate the prominent features of the lithological part of Cana- 

 dian geology. A number of new specimens has been procured, and 

 about 200 rocks and minerals are now named and exhibited. Two 

 packages were found to contain a series of the rocks, lavas, and 

 other minerals of Vesuvius and its neighborhood, a collection of 

 great interest, and containing many fine specimens. The labels 

 attached to these were written in Italian, and often incorrectly 

 spelled. Signor de Angelis, who has lived many years in the imme- 

 diate neighborhood of Vesuvius, has kindly helped me to identify 

 the exact localities of the specimens, and Dr. Hunt has determined 



