FORTY-FOURTH ANNUAL REPORT 



should be specially mentioned those which are due to the work of a 

 young science student in the Greenock Academy — Mr. Edward S. 

 Russell, Port-Glasgow — who offered to prepare for the Museum a 

 zoological " type collection " on lines similar to those on which the 

 collection in the Royal Scottish Museum, Edinburgh, is based. Mr. 

 Russell has been devoting his spare time to this for over a year, 

 carrying on his work in the Museum workshop, and the specimens 

 which he has already prepared should be of considerable value to 

 students of zoology, as well as of interest to the general visitor. A 

 fine specimen of fallow deer from Inchmurrin Island, Loch Lomond, 

 was presented by the Duke of Montrose, and is at present in course 

 of being mounted. Early in the year the Committee took into 

 consideration the possibility of obtaining some new pictures for the 

 Lecture Hall. A report was obtained from experts on the examples 

 of the work of the old masters, which had been on the walls for over 

 twenty years, and as a result of consideration of this report it was 

 thought desirable not to hang several of these pictures. With a view 

 to getting additional pictures, application was made for a loan from 

 the National Gallery, London, and after some correspondence and 

 negotiation with the authorities, seven pictures were obtained on loan 

 for a period of at least four years. These are now on the walls, and 

 have been much admired by competent judges. Among them are a 

 painting by Turner, valued at /^2, coo; one by Both, valued at^^Soo; 

 one by Hobbema, valued at ^300 — the total value of the National 

 Gallery collection now in the hall being ^^4,5 20. In carrying 

 through this matter the Committee received much assistance from 

 Mr. James Reid, M.P., who interviewed the Directors of the National 

 Gallery in London, and it was largely due to his services that so fine 

 a selection of paintings was obtained for Greenock. It should also 

 be mentioned that several of the old pictures have been cleaned and 

 revarnished, and not only is the appearance of the Hall much im- 

 proved by these changes, but the collection of paintings is well 

 worthy of inspection and study. In connection with the additions 

 to the art section, mention may be made of an interesting lithograph, 



