10 



to exhibit, there are a great number of spirit specimens. Many of the 

 jars, which were in need of fresh spirit, are now being attended to and 

 replenished. 



Considerable progress has been made in thus placing the specimens out 

 of danger until they can be more closely examined. It is intended, as soon 

 as a successor to Mr. Paden has been appointed, to have these collections 

 overhauled and sifted, so that the various groups may be sent out to 

 specialists for identification and description. 



The Bird Collections have been periodically gone over, and attention 

 given to all matters requiring it. The Entomological Cases on exhibition 

 have been cleaned and re-lined and otherwise attended to. The Mineral- 

 ogical Collections have been re- arranged, and their economic uses 

 exemplified by well-chosen specimens. 



Acquisitions. 



Zoological Department. 



In regard to the donations to this Museum during the year the 

 following deserve special mention : The magnificent specimens of 

 Selenite Crystals, presented by Dr. Talmage, of the University of 

 Utah, U.S.A., and the numerous examples of the Mud-fishes {Protop- 

 tervs annectens), for which the Museum is indebted to the energy and 

 care in transport of Mr. A. Ridyard, the Chief Engineer of the African 

 S S. " Niger." The Director has drawn the special attention of the 

 Committee to Mr. Ridyard's interest in the collections and his frequent 

 exertions both personally and through his friends on the African coast to 

 procure specimens for the Museum, as well as the trouble and care — so 

 requisite to success — which he has expended in bringing them over, or in 

 getting them forwarded from ports besides those at which his own 

 vessel called. 



The following acquisitions have been made during the year : 

 Invertebrate s — 



Hydrozoa. Plumose Anemones (Actinoloba dianthus) ; Beadlets 

 {Aetinia mesemhryanthemum) ; Parasitic Anemones {Sagartia parasitica). 



Echinoderms. Five-armed Star-fishes {Uraster rubens). All for the 

 Aquarium. 



Insects : Three Termites (sp. ?) and Nests from South America. 



