94 PROCEEDINGS OF SOCIETIES. 



Apjohn's analysis, appears to be a sulphate of that earth with Manga- 

 nese. It was brought from the neighbourhood of the Bushman river, 

 in South Africa. In concluding this part of the Report, the council 

 strongly recommends those members who may in future present rock 

 or fossil specimens (and the recommendation is equally applicable to 

 all branches of Natural History), to pay particular attention to attach 

 the name of the place from whence each specimen may have been 

 derived, to the specimen itself or to the paper envelope. So import- 

 ant is it to attend to this, that it frequently happens that, from inat- 

 tention to this circumstance, specimens are worse than worthless, as it 

 leads to error and confusion in attempting to arrange them. 



Zoology. — The specimens in Zoology, although daily increasing, 

 are not numerous. This department contains about three hundred 

 birds, of which sixty-eight are foreign. The curators feel extremely 

 anxious to complete and classify the collection of British birds and 

 quadrupeds, in which, it may be observed that many members of the 

 Society have the power materially to assist them. They gratefully 

 acknowledge many presents made to this branch of the museum, and 

 are desirous to allude more particularly to the numerous specimens 

 received from Sir Charles Throckmorton, who has repeatedly contri- 

 buted to several departments of the collection, but especially to that of 

 birds. Some progress has been made in the formation of a collection 

 of birds' nests and eggs. Few parts of England more abound in all 

 the varieties of song birds than the well-wooded parts of Warwick- 

 shire, and with moderate assistance specimens of them all might soon 

 be exhibited in the museum. Specimens of sea birds are very much 

 wished for, and also winter birds. When rare birds are met with, it 

 is desirable that the locality in which they are found should be men- 

 tioned. The nests of birds will be rendered more valuable if sent 

 with portions of the branches to which they are attached. In the 

 entomological section a few specimens only are possessed, but this 

 part of the collection is likely soon to be much increased. In certain 

 instances, the nests of the animals belonging to this division are high- 

 ly worthy of preservation, as may be seen by the specimens of the 

 nest of the Marabunta, the Common Hornet, the Wasp, &c., already 

 in the museum. The collection of shells is deficient ; it contains 

 some good specimens. Of quadrupeds and of fishes, very few have 

 yet been received. The number of quadrupeds is only twenty-five, 

 that of fishes is still smaller ; but it is hoped that a perfect collection 

 of the fishes of the Avon may soon be made. Of the reptile tribes, 

 some have recently boen presented. The council entertain hopes 

 that, as the collection increases, not only will the arrangement of the 

 different specimens in the zoological department be such as to illus- 

 trate the leading divisions of Natural History, but that they will be- 

 come more fitted for the instruction of those who feel interested in 

 comparing the structure of different tribes of living beings. Several 

 skeletons of the smaller quadrupeds and of birds arc in the course of 

 preparation, which, added to those now in the cases, and to the col- 



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