154 



The following series of specimens are associated with the 

 Bionomic Collections: 



1. Specimens showing exceptional means of distribntion 

 over the ocean. 



2. Special faunas, of interest from many points of view, 

 but principally bearing upon distribution and isolation, such as 

 the butterflies of New Zealand, the southern part of S. America, 

 and the Canary Islands. 



3. A series showing a comparison between Island forms and 

 the most nearly allied species on the adjacent continent, at pre- 

 sent only illustrated by specimens, arranged by Dr. Longstaff, 

 from Jamaica and Central America. 



In addition to the specially announced exhibits the Hope 

 Department was open during the entire week for the benefit of 

 those wishing to inspect any portion of the extensive collections, 

 and Mr. A. H. Hamm and Mr. J. Collins rendered ever^^ assist- 

 ance to the many visitors who took advantage of the opportunity. 

 The greater part of the following account of the origin and work 

 of the Department appeared as a supplement to the guide-book, 

 having been specially written by Prof. Poulton. 



The Hope Department originated in the year 1849, when the 

 Rev. F. W. Hope, of Christ Church, presented his Zoological 

 Collections, Library, and Engravings to the University, and ap- 

 pointed John Obadl\h Westwood as Keeper. The deed of 

 gift was approved in 1850, and the Collections at once attracted 

 much interest. The Visitors' Book opens with twenty signatures, 

 principally of members of the University, under the date June 12th, 

 1850. A MS. inventory, drawn up by Westwood in 1857, men- 

 tions the contents of the 903 cabinet drawers in which the Hope 

 Collection of insects was contained, and gives an account of 

 the Westwood collections, library, and drawings purchased and 

 presented by Mr. Hope, and of other donations. A paper 

 printed by Westwood as Keeper, and dated January i860, 

 from the Taylor Institution, states that " additions to a large 

 extent have annually been made by the donor to his gift, in each 

 of its three branches," that the collections other than the Arthro- 

 poda had recently been transferred to the Ashmolean Museum, 

 and that the Arthropoda, together with " the finest entomological 

 library in existence," remained in the Taylorian, " awaiting 



