were entertained by the Chairman, and the why and wherefore 

 of museum methods, and the utility of various collections 

 were explained by the Director. The City Council were 

 entertained by the Committee at a similar visit on the evening 

 of March 4th, when the general progress was shown. The 

 Art Students' Exhibition formed an additional attraction on 

 this occasion. 



It is with regret that we have to report that the Geological 

 and Mineralogical collections, are still unaltered. The 

 whole question of their adequate re-arrangement, and re-casing 

 has been thoroughly investigated, and plans prepared for the 

 establishment of a better and more useful system. The 

 cost, however, will be great, and progress is prevented by want 

 of means ; yet the interest of the collections, and their 

 enormous scientific value, no less than their extreme utility, 

 make the question of re-organisation one of extreme urgency. 



Collections, which enshrine the work of Catcott, Agassiz, 

 Muller, De la Beche, Austen, Riley and Stutchbury, Huxley, 

 Etheridge, Sanders, and practically all the famous geologists 

 of the West of England, are well worthy of the generous 

 interest of anyone, who is desirous of seeing these valuable 

 specimens adequately arranged and of greater usefulness. 



General Morfe. 



Botany. 



Steady attention has been given to this department 

 throughout the year, and a considerable number of plant 

 preparations added. These consist mainly of examples 

 illustrating leaf-form, modifications of stems and leaves, 

 inflorescences and fruit. A number of preparations have 

 also been set up to show the leaves, inflorescence and fruit of 

 British Trees. These for the present are placed in the Gallery 



