113 



which is probably the best ever got together, and embraces 

 examples of nearly all the tribes found in the Venezuelan 

 Republic. 



The economical portion of the collection was of great 

 interest and value, chiefly from its extent and the care 

 w-hich had been exercised in its collection and transportation, 

 and the valuable notes of Dr. Ernst of Caracas, which 

 accompany it, rendered it still more valuable. Specimens 

 of the vegetable and mineral productions of Venezuela were 

 •to be seen in great number and variety. 



Among the plants exhibited was a small collection of 

 Characece named by Dr. Ernst, but the chief interest was 

 in a small collection of plants gathered by Mr. Spence on 

 the summit of Mount Naiguati. 



This mountain, whose altitude is nearly 9,500 feet, is the 

 highest in Venezuela, and was regarded as almost inacces- 

 sible until Mr. Spence and five companions made a successful 

 ascent in April, 1872. A species of grass allied to the bam- 

 boos and new to science was one of the results of this 

 ascent. 



The exhibition also included an assortment of interesting 

 curiosities of native manufacture, recent and ancient. There 

 were goblets, drinking cups, and flasks more or less finely 

 carved out of cocoa nuts, some mounted in silver; and a 

 series of delicately worked cups and bowls of calabash. 



From the State of Trugillo Mr. Spence has brought three 

 curiously shaped vessels obtained from Peruvian burial 

 places. 



The collection remained open to the public for some days, 

 and was visited by a large number of persons. 



January 27th, 1873. 



Professor W. C. Williamson, F.R.S., President of the 

 Section, in the Chair. 



"Description of Minerals and Ores from Venezuela," by 

 John Plant, F.G.S, 



