MUSEUMS. 49 
made in placing on exhibition further specimens of Fishes. Several 
specimens of Reptiles have been re-cast and mounted, and a good 
cast of the remarkable Egyptian Mastigure Lizard (Uromastix 
spinifer) has been placed on exhibiton. 
In the carpenters’ shops, in addition to the ordinary repairs and 
fittings, thirty-nine exhibition cases have been made—thirty-two to 
accommodate British Bird and Mammal groups with natural 
surroundings, two for British Fungi for the Local Area collection, 
and five cases for Mayer Museum. All case fittings, many stands, 
alteration of platform in Lecture Theatre, snow-boards, gangways, 
&e., on roof, many fittings in Aquarium, as well as a large number 
of miscellaneous appliances for the exhibition of specimens have also 
been devised and constructed. 
(b) CONSERVATION. 
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. 
The collection of British Birds placed in the cases of the Kntrance 
Hall of the Calderstones House have been examined from time to 
time, cleaned, and attended to by the taxidermist. 
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. 
The number of skins reduced during the year amounts to 1,675. 
