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agate, which had been cut and polished, showed that at oue time the stone 

 had been broken up by some great force, and that in the broken state 

 crystallisation had taken place between the scattered fragments, beautifully 

 uniting them into an organised mass by interposed amethyst quartz crystals. 

 In studying these varied formations, the members of the Club were greatly 

 assisted by the kind demonstration of Thomas Fairley, F.R.S.E., and 

 also by the remarks on these subjects made by Dr. Clifton Sorby, F.R.S., 

 whose presence at the museum in response to an invitation by the Club 

 was much appreciated. The collection of opals contains in a si:)ecial casket 

 the largest and most brilliant specimen of Australian opal, save one, which 

 is in an Austrian museum. This opal is in its native matrix of deep brown 

 rock, which shows off the brilliancy of its exquisite colouring to great 

 advantage. Smaller specimens, of singular beauty, were observed from 

 Mexico. A large Scotch jasper was noticed in its gplden setting, contain- 

 ing 111 square inches. There was also a beautiful specimen of Labradorite 

 felspar, of about the same size, which was softly banded with blue and grey 

 ii-idescent colours when held in certain lights. Nearly all the known 

 precious stones are to be seen in their natural rock, and uncut. The Cliib 

 next inspected natural diamond crystals from Africa and Brazil, specimens 

 of precious emerald and ruby, besides a magnificent specimen of topaz 

 crystal about nine inches in length, and a particularly fine instance of blue 

 topaz on a slab of rock matrix. A specimen of meteoric iron attracted 

 particular attention, it being so extremely heavy in proportion to its bulk. 

 A complete system of crystal models was shown, whereby the student of 

 crystallography is enabled to complete his theoretical knowledge of the 

 formation and growth of crystals. Specimens of blue and yellow sapphire 

 were also noted, as well as beautiful beryl crystals in a group. The atten- 

 tion of the Club was also particularly drawn to the magnificent collec- 

 tion of rare and unique illustrated works on natural science, the most 

 notable being the original drawings, in seven elephant-folio volumes, for 

 Donovan's celebrated work on insects, shells, and reptiles. In obtaining 

 this work Mr. Ruskin found it necessary to outbid the authorities at the 

 British Museum, which he did in order to procure it for the benefit of the 

 museum at Shefiield. This work has recently been arranged by the 

 Eev. Dr. Dallinger, F.R.S., President of the Yorkshire Naturalists' Union, 

 who much regretted his inability to meet the Club at the museum, which 

 he had expressed his intention of doing. It is enough to say of these 

 original drawings of Donovan's, that they are the work of a life-time, and 

 that in fidelity, execution, and perspective they are unsurpassed in this 

 line of art. The superb works of the late John Gould, F.R.S., called 

 forth universal admiration, particularly the " Humming Birds," which are 

 exquisitely vignetted in their natui-al surroundings of exotic flowers and 

 foliage. Sharpe's " Kingfishers of the World " is a work of great beauty. 

 The plates are drawn by Keulemans, a Dutchman by birth, who is still 

 living and doing beautiful work in ornithological drawing. An illus- 

 trated work on "The Fishes of Great Britain," by Mrs. Bowditch, was 



