108 ACCOUNTS, ETC., OF THE BRITISH MUSEUM. 



Electric Lighting. 



The electric lighting of the galleries, on the first floor, 

 namely, the Mineral and Lower Mammal Galleries, has been 

 completed, and a commencement has been made in the Upper 

 Mammal Gallery. 



As a precautionary measure, an independent system of 

 "Pilot" lighting throughout the building has been installed. 



Extension of the Natural History Museum. 



The Trustees have submitted to the Government a full 

 statement of their views as regards the future extension of 

 the Natural History Museum. While they have shown and 

 emphasized the need of providing more accommodation for the 

 immediate requirements and future growth of the Museum, 

 they have deemed it right in the existing national emergency 

 not to press for funds for this work. They have, however, 

 intimated that should His Majesty's Government at some later 

 date wish to find employment for labour, they hoped that the 

 extension of the Natural History Museum would be borne in 

 mind. 



The War. 



Certain precautions against possible attack by hostile air- 

 craft have been taken, and some of the unique and more 

 valuable specimens have been removed from the exhibition 

 galleries to a place of greater safety. 



The staff" of the Museum has been depleted through a number 

 of its members having joined the Naval or Military forces with 

 the permission of the Trustees. Up to the end of December 37 

 of the staff" were so serving. 



The Museum has also raised an efficient Red Cross Section 

 for service in Kensington, and has organised a platoon of the 

 Volunteer Training Corps for home defence. 



Classes from the Royal Army Veterinary Corps and R.oyal 

 Field Artillery (Territorial Forces) have received instruction in 

 the Museum on the anatomy of the Horse, Museum specimens 

 being used for demonstration. 



The Admiralty. 

 Assistance was rendered to the Admiralty in connection 

 with certain damage caused by insects to the envelope of an 

 airship and a balloon. 



Museu'ins Association. 

 Dr. F. A. Bather, F.R.S , Assistant Keeper of the Depart- 

 ment of Geology, again attended, as delegate of the Natural 

 History Museum, the Annual Conference of the Museums 

 Association held at Swansea in July. 



Anirfial Protection. 

 The Government Bill prohibiting the importation of bird 

 plumes received the hearty support of the Trustees. It is to 



I 



