12 MUSEUMS. 



The commencement made last year with the General Catalogue of the 

 Derby Museum on the Card-system has been continued ; the Catalogue of 

 the Mayer Museum has been begun. Tbe cataloguing and registering 

 of the Bird Collection is proceeding pari passu with the naming and 



labelling of the specimens. 



(c) Conservation. 



The usual work of conservation has been continued throughout the year. 

 The examination of tbe Spirit Collections — chiefly of Invertebrate — long 

 stored in tbe Spirit Room, referred to in the last Report, lias been 

 continued, and the preservative fluid- in which they were kept, 

 renewed. The arranging of them into group- ba? al>o been continued : 

 but a considerable time must elapse before this work can be completed. 



All the Collections have been periodically examined, dusted and kept 

 free from moth and other pests. 



A large number of mounted specimens, principally of Birds, have 

 been reduced and made into cabinet skins for tbe Study Collection. 



Numerous specimens of various Vertebrate groups have, as during last 

 year, been placed in Spirit or Formal for future histological use, or for 

 making preparations in illustration of exhibited specimens. 



(d) Loaxs. 



Several species of birds (Corvidce) were lent to the Hon. Walter 

 Rothschild for study at bis Museum at Tring, Herts ; and a number of 

 specimens of MiUepora, chiefly from tbe West Indies, to Professor 

 Hickson, F.R.S.. Manchester. 



Professor Herdman, F.R.S., University College, Liverpool, also 

 received on loan, a number of specimens for the illustration of his 

 Cbristmastide Lectures to Children. 



(e) Presents. 



The number of gifts made to tbe Museum during the year shows 

 no falling off as compared with last vear. Many of these are valuable and 

 interesting specimens, but few are of outstanding importance. 

 Mr. Ridyard, Chief Engineer of the S.S. " Niger," one of Messrs. 

 Elder, Dempster & Company's fleet, has this year again brought over 



