16 MUSEUMS. 
together with an important collection of timber samples, has been 
acquired partly by gift and partly by purchase from Mr. James A. 
Weale and others. 
In the carpenters’ shops, in addition to the ordinary repairs and 
fittings, twenty-three exhibition cases have been made—twenty to 
accommodate British Bird groups with natural surroundings and 
one for British Fishes for the Local Area collection, and two cases 
for African Ethnology in the Mayer Basement. A very large 
number of stands, for specimens and other fittings, have also been 
constructed. 
(b) CoNnsERVATION. 
All the collections on exhibition have so far as pressure on the 
staff has permitted been periodically examined, dusted and kept free 
from moth or other pest. The store cabinets and tanks, containing 
specimens preserved both in fluid and dry preparations, have also 
been systematically gone over for the purpose of renewing the spirit 
or other preservative. 
Two taxidermists have continued during part of the year the very 
urgent work of reducing to flat skins (for placing in the study 
cabinets and for their proper conservation) the vast number of 
specimens, both of mammals and of birds remaining over after the 
representative generic series had been selected for exhibition. The 
mammals have now been completed, but several thousands of bird 
specimens still remain awaiting their turn. The work has proceeded 
so far that one of the two galleries which it is necessary now to use 
as storerooms for them, will soon be available for re-arrangement. 
(ec) Loans. 
The following loans of Museum specimens for purposes of scientific 
investigation were made during the year :— 
The specimen of Black Emeu (Vromeus ater) and the unique 
example of Vecropsar leguati (Forbes) were lent to the Hon. Walter 
Rothschild, M.P., for exhibition at the International Ornithological 
Congress in London in June. 
