PKOCEEDINGS OF THE KEGENTS. 199 



it with large shot. The brain of another elephant skull in plaster. It was obtained by a 

 skull defective in its facial parts, being filled with plaster, and then gradually broken into 

 small pieces, so that the very foldings of the dura mater remained untouched ; the original 

 in plaster, £15 ; a fac-simile in papier mache, £5. 



I miqht add details of about 400 specias of birds, 2 to 10 shillings, in nearly 1,800 speci- 

 mens, chiefly from the Himalaya and Thibet; reptiles, 8 shillings to £1, and fishes, 5 to 10 

 shidinqs, determined by Dr. Gunther, (Proceedings Zool. Soc. , London ;) butterflies, 20 for 

 £1, determined by Dr. Moore; insects, 40 for £1, as well as plants and geological col 

 lections. 



The objects mentioned are at a country seat of ours, Jaegersburg, near Forchheim, Bava- 

 ria, not very far by rail from Munich. 



Chbistiania, January 6, 1863. 



Sir : The knowledge of the countries and nations of the earth being particu- 

 larly useful as well to the mariner as to the trader, it ought to be especially 

 cultivated by us Norwegians. One of the most effective means of calling forth 

 the sympathies of the people in behalf of a science is that of establishing public 

 museums, or collections of objects, presenting immediately to the eye things of 

 which no accurate idea or conception can be conveyed by a mere description. 

 The public having thus, so to say, intuitively acquired a feeling of interest in 

 the subject, it will be possible, by united efforts, in the course of some years, to 

 bring together collections not only instructive to the nation possessing them, but 

 also deserving the admiration of foreigners. 



The British government has in this respect set the greatest example. * * * 



An ethnological museum having now been established at the University of 

 Christiania with the object of illustrating the manners, mode of living, and civ- 

 ilization of the various nations, it is to be hoped that the numerous and enter- 

 prising class of Norwegian seamen will avail themselves of the many opportu- 

 nities offered on distant voyages to procure objects of interest for such a common 

 national depository. The managers of the collection have already had frequent 

 occasions to express their thanks even to common sailors for gifts to the institu- 

 tion, for which the state has also set apart a sum that, although moderate, will 

 enable the manages; to refund expenses incurred in procuring objects for the 

 museum. Thus it will be within the power of any seaman to contribute towards 

 enlarging the collection. 



Trusting to the kind support of the public also for the future, the managers 

 consider it expedient to lay down some rules for the guidance of those who, for 

 the sake of public utility, may be willing thus to contribute towards enlighten- 

 ing their fellow citizens : 



1. The nations and countries, the condition and state of which it will be of 

 particular interest to see illustrated and exhibited, are especially those most 

 differing from our own country and our own people; consequently, in the 

 first place, the nations out of Europe, and, among the Europeans, those 

 least known, and of the most antiquated manners. As a rule, objects of 

 antiquity are also of greater rarity, and will be more acceptable to a col- 

 lection than things now in use. 



2. The objects, suitable for illustrating the c©ndition of such nations, are in- 

 numerable. Sacred images, weapons, tools used in the principal trades, 

 clothing, furniture, domestic implements, and products of industry, may be 

 mentioned. Of course, models, drawings, and especially photographs, will 

 afford quite as trustworthy information as the object itself. Articles liable 

 to spoil, or the preservation of which would involve expenses, cannot be 

 received in a museum. 



3. The limited means at the disposal of a Norwegian institution will, as a 

 matter of course, necessitate the selection of articles the price of which is 



