4 
are less complete, but contain many objects of great 
interest. The entomological collection comprises a 
yariety of insects belonging to this country; and, in 
addition to the home series, the Museum is enriched 
with an extensive and most attractive collection of 
specimens from Ceylon, presented by Sir James Emer- 
son Tennent; and by Robert Templeton, Esq., R.A., 
all of which, however, haye not yet been received. 
“ There isa good series of British shells, but not yet 
complete. The foreign conchological collection is 
also extensive. 
“ Of the several other orders of invertebrate animals, 
it will be sufficient to state, that the Museum contains as 
large a proportion as is usual in provincial collections. : 
It may also be observed here, that the council 
intend to devote exclusively the ‘Thompson Room’ 
to the display of specimens illustrative of the natural 
history of Ireland, and that suitable cases are at pre- 
sent in progress for the collection. This plan, by giv- 
ing more space, will then enable them to form, in the 
middle room, a typical collection of the animal king- 
dom—that is, a series representing the classes, orders, 
families, and principal genera. 
“The mineral collection comprises a_ series of 
earthy minerals, which is nearly a complete one; and 
several of the specimens are of great value and rarity. 
The series of metallic minerals is not so perfect, less 
attention having been paid to procuring such. There 
are also a number of large specimens, of too great a 
size for the cases, and these are placed throughout the 
various rooms. The Museum also possesses a collec- 
tion of palarozoie and other fossils, which, however, 
from want of space, cannot be at present exhibited. 
“The department of antiquities and works of art is 
much confined for want of space; it is very large, in- 
cluding a magnificent donation of Mr. Gordon A. 
Thompson, the fruit of his travels in countries even 
now but little visited. The collection of Irish antiqui- 
ties is also very extensive. 
“ One remark may be made which will be generally 
applicable to all the collections enumerated—namely, 
that a large number of specimens, easy to be obtained, 
but which are not in the Museum, might be added 
at once from the private collections existing in Bel- 
fast and its neighbourhood. Any gentleman, there- 
fore, observing such deficiencies, would probably, be 
