6o SCHOOL MUSEUMS 



The geological collection would best be limited mainly to a 

 series illustrating the rocks and characteristic fossils of the 

 British Isles, arranged stratigraphically. There would be 

 no difficulty in making such a series on any scale, according 

 to the space available, and if well selected and arranged, it 

 would be extremely instructive and form a complete epitome 

 of the whole subject. It should be placed in a continuous 

 series along one side of the room, beginning with the oldest 

 and ending with the most recent formations. It might be 

 preceded by some general specimens illustrating the various 

 kinds of rock structures, etc. 



Mineral and fossil specimens are generally to be procured 

 as wanted from the dealers, and as they require little or 

 no preparation, collections illustrating these subjects can be 

 quickly made, if money is available for the purpose. This is 

 not, however, the case with zoological and botanical specimens, 

 most of- which require labour, skill, and knowledge to be 

 expended upon their preparation before they can be preserved 

 in such a manner as to make them available for permanent 

 instruction. 



We will next proceed to consider what objects may be 

 included under the second head, many of which need not be 

 constantly exhibited, but may be preserved in drawers for 

 special study. These may be 



(1) A well -named collection of the commoner British 

 insects, especially those of the neighbourhood in which the 

 school is situated, with their larvse, which should (if means 

 will allow) be mounted on models of the plants upon which 

 they feed. All should have their localities and the date of 

 capture carefully recorded. These are best kept in a cabinet, 

 with glass-topped drawers, with a stop behind, so as to allow 

 them to be pulled out for inspection, but not entirely removed. 

 Such a collection, formed of specimens prepared and presented 

 by Lord Walsingham, can now be seen in the British Koom 

 of the Natural History Museum. 



(2) A similar collection of British shells, especially the 

 land and freshwater shells of the neighbourhood. 



(3) If space and means allow, a collection of British birds, 

 especially the best-known and more interesting species. Bare 



