20 

 MUSEUM REPORT. 



Circulating Museum Collections for Schools and other 

 Educational Purposes. 



An experiment, occupying a considerable amount of time in preparation, 

 new to Museums, and of much promise, was commenced by the 

 Committee in the Spring, and has been carried on with considerable 

 success. 



It consists in the selection and arrangement of duplicate specimens of 

 instructive and attractive character from the Museum collections, and 

 placing them in small portable cabinets of less than two feet cubical 

 measurement, of plain and simple construction, and very portable. 



These cabinets are circulated one by one for a definite period of one 

 month among such of the Public Elementary Schools of all denomina- 

 tions, within the Parliamentary boundaries of the City, as have, on invi- 

 tation, expressed a desire to receive them. 



Sixteen cabinets are in cu'culation, and sixty-four schools have each 

 had a cabinet for one month, with very satisfactory results. The speci- 

 mens have suffered no damage, and the teachers have been glad to receive 

 them as most useful and attractive subjects for object lessons to their 

 various classes. The cabinets are now going the round of the schools 

 again, each school receiving a different cabinet from the one that pre- 

 ceded it. 



AQUARIA. 



Several new Aquaria are being fitted up for the display both of marine 

 and fresh-water specimens on a larger scale than has hitherto been 

 attempted in the room devoted to this purpose. The old Aquaria, 

 although on a small scale, have always been popular. Many objects of 

 rarity and interest have been exhibited from time to time, several of 

 which have lived many years in the limited accommodation provided for 

 them, and it is hoped that the improved arrangements may be still more 

 successful and attractive. 



