6 
sented to the Society their collections of Local Shells. Both 
these collections are valuable as tending to the increase of 
local knowledge, and we shall hope to see further good work 
in the same direction. ‘The general condition of the specimens 
is good. There are still, however, Cases unfilled that appeal 
for contributions to the industry of the Members. 
Mr. STRAHAN, who has so kindly during the last few years 
acted as our Curator, has been obliged to resign the office, the 
Geological Survey having called him to another part of the 
country. During the time Mr. SrraHan has been in Chester 
and North Wales, he has done much to render the Museum 
worthy of the Society, and it is with great regret that we lose 
his services, which were always freely given, both to the 
Museum, and also in connection with the Summer Excursions, 
when his great knowledge of the country was invaluable. 
The number of books in the Library has been much in- 
creased during the last year, both by purchase and gifts, 
particularly by the handsome donation of thirty vols. of the 
British Association Reports, from Mrs. T. JoHnson. In no 
direction can the Society’s income be more profitably spent 
than in securing standard books of reference, in order to form 
as complete a Library of Natural History as the funds will 
permit. It is matter of encouragement that the number of 
those who have availed themselves of the Library has of late 
much increased. 
Our Committee and Members feel strongly the necessity 
that some effort should be made to place the City of Chester 
in a position at least equal to that of towns of a similar size. 
No place perhaps in the country ought to’ possess a Museum 
richer in local specimens than Chester, situated as it is near an 
estuary of the sea, and with the Mountains of North Wales 
within our district. How this will be done, and if the City, 
from the Museum and Library Rate, will help us, remains yet 
to be seen. This much we may say, if the Museum and 
Library Act be taken full advantage of our Society will do all 
a ae 
