Census of the Collection Duplicates. 47 



but the coleopterist was unable to cope with the additions to his 1879-1881. 

 branch. 



CENSUS OP THE COLLECTION. 



(1879-81.) 



In 1862 Dr. Gray estimated the number of specimens in the 

 Zoological Department at 629,000 (Parliamentary Return, llth 

 March, 1864). This estimate, apparently made up from the 

 registers of accessions, which before his time were not kept with 

 strict accuracy, was clearly below the truth, and was corrected by 

 him in 1868 by an actual census, when the number of specimens 

 was found to be close upon 1,000,000. In 1880 his successor 

 arranged for another census, which resulted in a total of 1,300,000 

 specimens.* 



With regard to arrangement and other work entailed by the 

 accessions, it is evident that the working staff of nine persons 

 (inclusive of the Keeper), which was inadequate for coping with a 

 growing collection of 1,000,000 specimens in 1868, could not be 

 regarded as sufficient for 1,300,000 in 1880, even after one 

 Assistant of the second class had been added to its numerical 

 strength. In fact, the increase of every branch of the Department 

 demanded greater specialisation of the work ; one Assistant, who 

 hitherto had taken charge of two or three divisions, was no 

 longer able to do justice to the collections under his charge. 

 Certain parts, especially in the Entomological section, had grown 

 to such an extent as to keep two or three Assistants fully 

 occupied. The Keeper took every opportunity of urging the 

 Trustees to apply to the Treasury for suitable additions to the 

 staff: not only to the higher rank of Assistants, but also to 

 the lower grade of employes who would help the former in 

 performing mechanical work. It was encouraging for future 

 efforts in the same direction to obtain the sanction of the 

 Treasury for the appointment of two Boy-attendants and a 

 taxidermist. 



DUPLICATES. 

 (1879-81.) 



Exchanges, in which Duplicates were utilised, were now and 

 then made in fact, a small number suitable for the purpose had 

 been set aside ; but altogether this source of acquisition was not 

 very fertile, nor was it much encouraged it is costly, on account 



* This number had increased to 2,245,000 in 1895 (see p. 97). 



