17 



the British Series been neglected — many better 

 specimens have been substituted during the 

 past season, fof those origiriallj exhibited, and 

 some curious illustrations of the metamorphoses 

 and habits of the Insect tribe, have been added. 



It is much to be regretted that the friends of 

 the Institution have not contributed more largely 

 to the Conchological department (which owes 

 its arrangement to the active services of Mrs, W. 

 Masters) and which is still very deficient in Fo- 

 reign specimens. It is trusted that the know- 

 ledge of this deficiency will be an inducement 

 for those friends of the Museum who have Cor- 

 respondents abroad, to request their aid towards 

 its completion, as no subjects in Natural History^ 

 are better calculated for display, and none 

 more easily transferred and preserved. During 

 the past season, the Society is chiefly indebted 

 to Major Neame, for a collection from the Cape/ 

 amongst which are some splendid species o(: 

 Patella; to Mr.C. WeekeS; for a very rare shell, 

 the Helix Otis ; and to the Rev. G. R. Leathes, 

 for some rare fresh water species from North 

 America. 



It would be particularly desirable to increase 

 the number of Zoophytes — they are at all times 

 objects of high interest, and are well adapted for 

 preservation. John Furley, Jun. Esq. has 

 obligingly supplied seven of the finest specimens 

 now exhibited, which he collected at the Straits 

 of Malacca. 



Extensive collections of Fossils and Minerals 

 existed, and were displayed previous to the past 

 season ; — these have severally been augmented 

 since the last report, ami chiefly through the 

 kindness of Sir J. M. Tyldcn, the Kev. R. Price, 

 and W. Bland, Junior, Esq, who have supplied 

 Kentish Fossils; and of J. 13. Gunnell, Esq., 



c 



