PREFACE. vii 



The collection of Animal Materia Medica has been arranged 

 according to the classification generally accepted in this 

 country ; the arrangement of isinglass and galls is necessarily 

 somewhat imperfect, the sources of several varieties being at 

 present very obscure. 



The collection of Minerals has been arranged in the same 

 manner as the inorganic compounds in the chemical col- 

 lection, in order to admit of easy reference by those who are 

 studying chemistry. 



It will be observed that some interesting and valuable 

 specimens are without the donor's name or their own history 

 information with regard to these is much needed. 



The names of donors are mentioned only when the specimens 

 are unusually fine or of special interest. 



The Curator will be glad to receive references to any papers 

 of value in home or foreign journals, having an immediate 

 bearing on those subjects in connection with which the in- 

 formation is at present incomplete. 



