286 Prof. Sedgwick's Reply to some Statements 



Inspectors are annually appointed, who can demand the keys 

 whenever they think right ; and they do demand them yearly, so 

 as to see that no specimens, in the arranged catalogues, are lost or 

 out of place. No salary is ever paid to the Professor till after 

 the report of the Inspectors has been given in to the board of 

 Auditors. These stringent regulations have been the means of 

 preserving the original collection in its integrity : and though 

 now seldom consulted it possesses many very valuable specimens, 

 and has a great historical and antiquarian, as well as a scientific, 

 interest ; as every one knows who has studied the old printed 

 Woodwardian catalogues. The same regulations apply to the 

 additional collections (made during the last thirty-five years) 

 after they have been arranged and placed in the cabinets of the 

 Museum. They are then liable to Inspection, and to all its con- 

 sequences in the annual report. 



During the removal (about twelve years since) of the old, as 

 well as the modern, collection into the new museum, it was 

 exposed for several weeks to a great risk of loss — one or two 

 valuable specimens disappeared ; but not, I believe, one from the 

 original cabinets. Since then the modern additions have so far 

 advanced in arrangement, and been so much increased by the 

 bounty of academical friends, by purchase, and by my own la- 

 bours, that we have now a collection of very great value, and 

 illustrative of nearly all departments of Palaeontology. 



What, then, is the spirit in which this Museum has been 

 governed ? With the exception of very short intervals (necessary 

 for cleaning and repairs) it is open six days a week during the 

 whole year — at the rate of six hours a day during the winter, 

 and eight hours a day during the summer, months. Academical 

 men, and strangers, and foreigners are admitted alike without 

 restriction — may remain during all reasonable hours — may 

 sketch the specimens — and may turn to their own profit and in- 

 struction the vast scientific labour that has been bestowed on 

 the collection. Artists have, more than once, been sent down 

 to copy specimens and portions of the great series, and their 

 applications have never been in vain. Eveiy possible facility 

 has been given to their labours. In all these respects the ad- 

 ministration of our Museum dares to challenge comparison with 

 that of any other public museum in Europe. 



While any part of our vast collection has remained unan'anged, 

 I have treated it as my own property; finally, however, to be 

 transferred to the arranged cabinets of the University; after 

 which it becomes subject to the more stringent laws of our Mu- 

 seum. After their arrangement in the University cabinets, I 

 have no right to send any specimens away from the Museum. 

 By such an act I might forfeit a very heavy bond. Not that 



