228 REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE. 



The work done on the exhibited collections has been con- 

 cerned chiefly with the ethnological and geological depart- 

 ments. The cases in the upper east corridor, containing the 

 ethnology collections, have been emptied, cleaned, and 

 painted, and their contents entirely re-arranged ; this depart- 

 ment only now requires better labelling to be considered in 

 thoroughly satisfactory condition. The two cases devoted to 

 botanical objects in the corner room at the south end of this 

 corridor have also been completely overhauled. The work 

 undertaken in the geology room is still in hand. The ex- 

 cellent series of local Permian fossils have been remounted, 

 and are being carefully named and labelled from the standard 

 monographs ; and the general appearance of the desk-cases in 

 this room has been greatly improved by the insertion of false 

 bottoms, bringing up the objects to lie parallel with the glass. 

 A beginning has also been made with a series of index cases, 

 designed to give a clear summary of the ascertained history 

 of life on the earth ; it is hoped that this will prove of value 

 as an introduction to the fuller collections. 



The work of the Museum has been aided in a very practical 

 manner by some of the honorary curators. Through the 

 generosity of Mr. John Daglish temporary assistance has 

 been obtained for the re-writing of the labels in the mineral 

 collection ; Mr. Samuel Graham has given much time to 

 arranging the valuable collection of British birds' eggs pre- 

 sented by Mr. Raine ; and Mr. Meek is examining and 

 indentifying the animal remains of the Roman and prehistoric 

 periods in the Museum. 



E. Leonard Gill. 



