80 ACCOUNTS, ETC., OF THE BRITISH MUSEUM. 



racters, as indicating the true position and affinities of 

 animals, and these are often not exhibited in the dried 

 specimens which formerly sufficed for the needs of the 

 zoologist, but can only be studied in specimens preserved in 

 alcohol. 



Bequest. 



By the will of the late Dr. R. M'Cormick, Deputy Inspector- 

 General of Hospitals and Fleets, the Museum has become 

 possessed of the collections of Natural History specimens 

 (Animals, Plants, Fossils, and Minerals) made by him in the 

 various Arctic, Antarctic, and other expeditions which he 

 accompanied as Medical Officer and Naturalist in the course of 

 the years 1827-53. 



Presents. 



No fewer than 1,186 presents (including the bequest just 

 named), many of them embracing large numbers of specimens, 

 were received by the Trustees during the year, showing an 

 increase of 173 over the previous year. The details of all the 

 more important of these will be found in the Reports of the 

 Keepers of the several Departments, but the following may 

 be mentioned here as being of special interest : — 



From the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty. — Three 

 very valuable collections of Zoological Specimens from various 

 localities, made by Mr. J. J. Walker, Chief Engineer of H.M.S. 

 " Penguin," during the surveying operations of that vessel 

 among the islands of the west and north-west coasts of 

 Australia, under Commander W. U. Moore. 



From Allan 0. Hume, Esq., C.B. — A magnificent collection 

 of horns and heads of Indian Mammals, consisting of nearly 

 290 heads, many of them of extraordinary development, refer- 

 able to about 36 distinct species of the Big Game of India and 

 Central Asia. This collection was exhibited by itself for some 

 months, before its incorporation into the general collection, 

 and attracted numerous visitors. 



From F. D. Godman and O. Salvin, Esqrs. — A very valu- 

 able supplementary collection of Central American Carahidw, 

 consisting of 2,700 specimens, referable to 93 species, 70 of 

 which are described as new to science. 



From W. T. Blanford, Esq., f.r.s. — A valuable collec- 

 tion of Indian Mammals, consisting of 180 skins and 67 

 specimens in spirit, and comprising, amongst the objects of 

 special interest, well-preserved skins of the Sikkim Stag 

 {Cervus affinis) and the Snow Antelope {Pantholo'ps hodg- 

 soni). 



From 



