liv. 



EXHIBITS. 

 By Dr. A. MACLEAN : 



(i.) A specimen of a grass-snake preserved in a solution of one part of 

 Formalyn in 30 parts of water. This is stated to be an excellent 

 preservative of colour, and is much cheaper than spirit. 

 By Dr. BROWNING : 



(ii. ) Two carved elephants' tusks from West Africa, of which the 

 following account is furnished by the exhibitor : " The beautifully 

 carved elephant (adult and baby) tusks are of interest, not only from 

 the skill displayed in carving them with rude and imperfect tools, but 

 from their evident antiquity of more than 300 years, and their curious 

 similarity in design and mythological import to the Runic Sagas carved 

 on walrus tusks formerly used as Norse horns. They were procured by 

 a friend of mine, J. S. Stan ton, Esq., R.N., some 40 years since when at 

 Sierra Leone, and were part of the spoils of a former successful raid into 

 the Gold Coast Hinterland, where and when I am unable to say. They 

 are believed to represent the traditional myth known only by medicine 

 men and great chiefs of the genesis of the human family, due to the 

 direct intercession of some of the younger gods with the All Mother and 

 All Father ; and the consequent creation of the Earth Goddess is 

 engraved on the extremity of the large tusk, while in a similar situation 

 on the smaller is pourtrayed the p3rennial advance of never-failing 

 youth. The probable date of this work is about the middle of the 16th 

 century, since the petronels and muskets of the escorting gods are fitted 

 with wheel-locks, and one of them carries a Portuguese machete. The 

 serpent emblem of eternity is well delineated on the small tusk. Its 

 existence on the large one is not so definitely pronounced, but as snakes 

 are always fetish with the negroes I believe it to be there. On the large 

 tusk are 30 gods and goddesses, great and small, in various attitudes of 

 supplication, escort, and protection ; on the smaller 15 children and 

 youths passing through the course of life." 



By Mr. CLEMENT REID, F.G.S. : 



(iii.) A further note on worked flints from Blashenwell, which is 

 printed as an addition to his paper at p. 67 of Vol. XVII. A well-formed 

 celt has since been obtained from the Blashenwell deposit by Captain G. 

 R. Elwes and presented by him to the Museum. 

 By Mr. A. M. WALLIS : 



(iv.) Twelve Roman bronze coins from Portland. 



(v.) Part of the trunk of "Quebracho negro," a tree from Paraguay, 

 much bored by the larva of a large longicorn beetle. The wood is of a 

 red colour, and extremely hard and heavy. It is used for tanning, and 



