926 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIUTl, Vol. XXl'U. 



enhance its efficiency. These collections have hitherto not been 

 exhibited to the public. This section should be a specially popular- 

 one. 



Lastly some space has been alloted for a forest Museum where 

 valuable timbers and other forest products will be seen by business 

 men and an important stimulus to forest development thus afl'orded.. 

 The requirements of the various sections necessitate various adapta- 

 tions to the building, which along with the construction of show 

 cases, will take time. It is very difficult to obtain suitable plate glass 

 at present. It is hoped however that the museum can be opened on a 

 modest scale in the latter part of this year, or early in the next. 



FcJTUEE Development. 



The museum building is not large and it has become clear that as 

 three major sections have to be housed in it the building will be full 

 in a short time. There is no room for an Industrial and Economic 

 section which is of the utmost importance for a city like Bombay. The 

 original intention was to build two extra wings, one for Natural 

 History and the other for Industry; out as the funds are quite 

 insufficient to erect buildings, Natural History will have to be accom- 

 modated in the main building which was intended for Art and 

 Archieology only. A special contribution of 3 lakhs was given by Sir 

 Currimbhoy Ebrahim, Bart. The present state of public tinances and 

 the x^ressure of more urgent pi\blic needs make it unlikely that Govern- 

 ment could provide the very large funds required for the erection and 

 maintenance of additional buildings. Nor in the present condition of 

 trade and industry is an appeal to the public likely to produce the 

 required funds. The cost of building is now very high. The 

 income of the museum from Government and Municipal grants and 

 from securities is only adequate to maintain the Art and Archseological 

 sections on a modest scale without providing the means of expanding 

 these sections. 



What a Museum should no. 



The old idea of a museum was one of a building containing 

 antiques and curiosities, interesting no doubt, but of no special bearing 

 on modern life. A modern museum however should foim an important 

 factor in the life and growth of a nation. It should illustrate by its 

 exhibits all important aspects of the varied activities of the community 

 whether in Art, Archceology, History, Natural History, Sociology or 

 Industrjr, and thus be a pleasure, inspiration, and stimulation, both to 

 adults and especially to the Youth of India. The educative value to 

 the young of such a museum can well be realised by those familiar 

 with the great museums of London and the Continent. The Art stu- 

 dent there views pictures by the great masters, the Archseological 

 student sees the mighty work of ancient times, the Natural History 

 student has before his eyes the whole vast phenomena of the animal, 

 vegetable and mineral kingdoms arranged and classified on scientific- 

 lines, the Industrial student can by a touch of an electric button set 

 in motion miniature models of tho intricate machines of modern in- 

 dustry. Such a museum, however, to be worthy of this Presidency 

 demands very large accommodation and also -a very large income to 

 obtain and maintain the exhibits, and a specialist staff in all the 

 branches. The Trustees consider that Bombay must have such a. 

 museum at the earliest opportunity. 



