368 PROCEEDINGS OF THE GEOLOGICAL SOCIETX. [Maich 8, 



As regards the final disposal of the interesting and important relics 

 discovered in the " Genista " cave, a complete series ought to be de- 

 posited in London, either in the British Museum or in the Museum of 

 the Eoyal College of Surgeons. But we consider it to be of still 

 higher importance that a collection should be retained for Gibraltar. 

 In the progress of the vast defensive works which have been carried on 

 during the past century, in scarping and tunnelling the rock, objects 

 of high interest, relating either to its natural history or archaeology, 

 have been brought to light; but in the great majority of cases 

 they have either been disregarded or lost. Instances might be 

 cited from Col. James's ' History of the Herculean Straits,' 1771, 

 and from Major Imrie's ' Memoir on the Mineralogy of the Eock,' 

 in 1797. In 1844 a laudable effort was made by the late Arch- 

 deacon Burrow to establish a museum on the rock ; but, after 

 languishing some time, it failed from the want of proper support. 

 The relics of the collection were afterwards exhibited in the Soldiers' 

 Home ; but when that institution was given up, no place remained 

 either for displaying or taking proper care of the collection. Some 

 of the brightest records of the military glory and prowess of our 

 country are indissolubly connected with Gibraltar. A great nation 

 like England cannot afford to neglect, or disregard without reproach, 

 whatever bears on the natural history or archseology of so renowned 

 a possession. That the naval and military services take the liveliest 

 interest in such objects is placed beyond doubt by the United Ser- 

 vice Museum of London, founded upon collections contributed by 

 them from all parts of the world ; but it appears to us that the 

 formation and maintenance of a local museum at Gibraltar, illus- 

 trative of its products and relies, ought not to fall upon the garrison, 

 who are only temporary residents, and that it is more properly an 

 imperial obligation. The least expensive and best mode of carrying 

 the object into effect would probably be to have a room in the 

 Library reserved for the purpose, and under the management of the 

 Library Committee. The only outlay would be in the construction 

 of the apartment and in the glass cases for the objects ; no establish- 

 ment would be required. 



In case of any proposal of this nature being entertained, we 

 would venture to suggest to Your Excellency that the collection 

 should be strictly limited to objects of local interest, having reference 

 to the rock, the bay, the straits, and the immediate vicinity. Every- 

 thing from beyond these limits should be excluded. A museum of 

 reference of this nature should include : — 



1. Herbarium collection of the plants yielded by the rock. 



2. A zoological collection of aU objects, terrestrial and marine, 



produced within the hmits. 



3. A collection of specimens of minerals of the rock. 



4. A complete collection of the fossil remains yielded by the ossi- 



ferous caves and bone-breccia of Gibraltar. 



5. An archaeological collection of coins, pottery, and other antique 



relics occurring within the circuit of the bay. 



