Natural History Museums. By the Eev. Li^naud Jenyns, M.A., 

 F.L.S., F.Z.S., F.G.S. 



(Read February 'list, 18G5J 



C4ENTLEMKX, 



In my address to the Club last year, I stated that it seemed to 

 me very desirable that any specimens of interest or value which 

 the Members should meet with in their excursions, relating 

 either to the Natural History or Antiquities of the neighbour- 

 hood, should be deposited, parties being willing, in the Museum 

 of the Bath Literary and Scientific Institution. I added, 

 however, that in connexion with this matter it would be fitting 

 to speak more at large upon the subject of Museums in general 

 than I had time for then, which, consequently, I deferred to 

 another occasion. 



I propose now to treat of tliis subject, so far as it affects 

 ourselves, and the interests of the Local Museum with which we 

 are connected. In these days, in which Natural History pursuits 

 meet with so much more faA'our than formerly, and collectors 

 are so numerous, and almost every provincial town, nay, many 

 a small village; has its own Museum, — it cannot be without its 

 use to make more generally known the principles which have of 

 late years been suggested, with respect to the formation and 

 arrangement of Museums, by those who have had most 

 experience in the management of such institutions. These 

 principles have been adopted, and carried out with great success^ 

 in a few cases, and they recommend themselves to the notice of 

 all persons wishing to establish Museums in their o\vn neigh- 

 bourhoods. 

 3 



