This resolution finally disposed of all questions rela- 

 ting to the propriety of retaining the Museum as an inte- 

 gral and essential part of the Scientific Estabhshment ; 

 and for the purpose of carrying it into effect, it was fur- 

 ther resolved, — 



" That a Connnittee, consisting of Members of Council 

 and a certain number of the Fellows of the Society, be 

 appointed, for the purpose of considering the Report of 

 the Council of the Society read this day at a Special 

 General Meeting, and to make a Report of the best mode 

 of preserving the Society's Collection, with a view of ad- 

 vancing the scientific objects intended by the Charter, 

 and to report thereon to a General Meeting." 



A mixed Committee of Six Members was accordingly 

 appointed, and after various meetings, and an attentive 

 examination of the subject in all its bearings, agreed to a 

 Report, which was presented to a Special General Meet- 

 ing of the Society on the 8th of July, and adopted,^ toge- 

 ther with the following resolution, in accordance with its 

 recommendation, viz. — 



" That the recommendation contained in the Report 

 of the Museum Committee now read be adopted, and 

 that the Council be authorized to carry into effect such 

 recommendation, provided the site on the usual terms of 

 a Building Lease can be obtained ; and further, to draw 

 upon the Investment Fund for a sum not exceeding £5000, 

 to be applied for that purpose." 



A Committee of Council was accordingly appointed on 

 the 14th of July, but in consequence of the unsettled 

 state of negotiations shortly afterwards entered into with 

 the Commissioners of Woods and Forests, the nature of 

 which will be explained elsewhere, the Committee did 

 not begin to act till the 5th of March last. Since that 

 period, however, the Committee has met regularly, gene- 

 rally speaking, twice a week, and great progress has been 

 already made in carrying out the views of the Society. On 

 the 11th of March an Advertisement was inserted in the 

 principal Morning Papers, inviting Architects to furnish 

 Plans and Designs for the proposed Museum, according 

 to general instructions drawn up by the Committee. Nine 

 sets of Plans were accordingly submitted for competition, 

 all of them respectable, and some of very considerable me- 

 rit. After attentive and repeated examinations of each Plan 

 in all its details, and a patient comparison of its merits and 

 capabilities with those of the other Plans, the Committee 

 finally made a provisional selection of a design furnished 



