MUSEUM. 471 



its contents partially destroyed by fire, the collection of 

 models had in some measure become antiquated, and it was 

 resolved to apply the sum recovered under policies of 

 insurance in the acquisition of articles of more recent date. 

 But before much progress had been made in restoring the 

 collection, the Industrial Museum (since instituted by 

 Government under the name of the Museum of Science 

 and Art) was projected. The Highland Society took the 

 lead, among public bodies, in urging its establishment, and 

 offered to transfer to Government its collection of agricul- 

 tural models, and of geological specimens, on condition 

 that the Institution should be founded in Edinburgh. 

 After some negotiation this was accomplished, and, accord- 

 ingly, these articles were transferred to the Museum of 

 Science and Art in 1855. To replace the articles thus 

 removed, the Directors arranged for a complete collection, 

 illustrative of the vegetable products of Scotland in all their 

 branches, the different plants being illustrated by dried 

 specimens, models in wax, or drawings. In 1866, this 

 portion of the museum was also made over to and accepted 

 by Government. This enabled the Directors to effect an 

 economical and very convenient re-arrangement. The 

 house in Albyn Place was sold, and the whole offices of 

 the Society were concentrated in George IV. Bridge. 



In 1854 the General and in 1859 the Directors' Meet- 

 ings were transferred from Albyn Place to the Upper Hall 

 of the Museum. In 1866 the hall on the first floor of the 

 Museum was subdivided into offices for the Societ}', and 

 now consists of a board-room, a library, and public office. 



In 1838 a standing committee on the Museum was 

 added to the official list. The first chairman was the 

 Marquis of Tweeddale, who acted till he left the country for 

 India in 1842. His Lordship was succeeded by Lord 

 Greenock (afterwards Earl Cathcart), who held office till 

 1845. Lord Berriedale (now the Earl of Caithness) offici- 

 ated from 1846 to 1854; and Professor Balfour acted from 

 1855 to 1866, when the committee ceased to exist. 



The mechanical and geological sections were presided 

 over by separate Conveners. These were for many years 



