REPORT ON JURASSIC FOSSILS. 55 



necessary for any systematic study ; and particularly for pointing 

 out affinities to, and differences from, present-day representatives. 



Among Brachiopods, too, it is important to have specimens 

 showing the characters of the internal structure. On the whole 

 perhaps the Brachiopod collection, at any rate the local series, 

 might be improved by rather better specimens. They hardly seem 

 up to the standard which might be expected from common shells. 



It is on account of being common that Brachiopods are 

 among the first shells to attract the student's attention. It is very 

 unfortunate, therefore, that they should have to be placed on a shelf 

 where they are practically out of sight. Of course the same remark, 

 though in a less degree, applies to anything put on the upper shelves. 

 They are unsuited to the display of any specimens on tablets. It 

 is a question whether the Brachiopod collection might not be more 

 satisfactorily arranged by itself. 



One last suggestion I may make in regard to the Ammonites 

 and Nautili. It is particularly important, first, that the different 

 patterns made by the edges of their air-chambers should be clearly 

 shown. Next, it is important that the differences in this respect 

 which obtain among the Ammonites themselves should be indi- 

 cated. A very good plan is to paint alternate chambers red 

 and white, a work requiring considerable skill, but its effect is 

 instructive. 



Conclusion. 



I have now indicated the various features of the Jurassic 

 collection ; and I have pointed out the different directions in which 

 development might take place. It will be seen that there is on the 

 whole a valuable collection well worthy of all the efforts that might 

 be undertaken for its improvement. 



