Sponges have been carefully named and mounted. 

 The mounting of the Fishes on a plan explained in the 

 last report has been further carried on, with the valued 

 assistance of Mr. £. Wheeler. The Shells and Crustacea 

 are now in process of arrangement, and a fine index 

 series of Shells, beautifully prepared, has been added. 

 The classification of the numerous Botanical specimens 

 has been considerably advanced by Miss Roper; 

 and a commencement has been made in forming a 

 separate collection of local Birds. The heads of Ovis 

 ammon and Red Deer, the former presented by Major 

 Swayne, and the latter by Lady Smyth, have been 

 mounted ; also the skins of a Tiger, Tigress, and 

 Leopard, which were presented by Mr. G. G. Parker 

 and were mentioned in the last Report. 



IRepairs ano alterations. 



In addition to ordinary repairs, various special 

 requirements have received attention. The glass dome 

 of the Lecture Theatre, which was injured in a violent 

 storm, was thoroughly repaired. The brick wall divid- 

 ing the Museum premises from those of the Drill Hall 

 was erected according to agreement. Advantage was 

 taken of the introduction of the heating apparatus into 

 the Art Gallery to effect an important improvement in 

 heating the Museum building. To this end, the boiler 

 power in the new building was increased to the neces- 

 sary extent, and the circulation pipes of the two 

 buildings were connected with the one set of boilers. 

 One of the disused boilers in the Museum was, however, 

 retained as a stand-by in case of need. The Committee 

 hope that the objects they had in view will be attained ; 

 in economising the fuel consumed and in reducing any 



