BRITISH MUSEUM (NATURAL HISTORY). 95 



X.— British Museum (Natural History). 



STATEMENT of Progress made in the Arrangement and 

 Description of the Collections, and Account of Objects 

 added to them, in the Year 1908. 



General Progress. 



Visitors. 



The total number of visits made by the public to the Natural 

 History Museum during the year 1908 was 517,043, as compared 

 with 497,437 in 1907— an increase of 19,606. 



The attendance on Sunday afternoons showed a slight falling 

 off, the figures being 65,986, as against 66,367 in the previous 

 year. 



The average daily attendance for all open days was 1,420 '4 ; 

 for week days only, 1,445*7; and for Sunday afternoons, 

 1,268-9. 



Electric Lighting. 



An electric lighting cable has been laid from the Imperial 

 Institute to connect with the main in the Natural History 

 Museum, in order that the current for lighting the Museum 

 may be supplied from the Government generating station at 

 the Imperial Institute, instead of from a private Company as 

 heretofore. The work has been carried out by His Majesty's 

 Office of Works. 



The permanent installation of the electric light in the Bird 

 Gallery has been completed, inverted arc lamps of a pattern 

 approved by the Trustees having been adopted. 



Heating and Ventilation. 



The new heating and ventilating apparatus, as planned by 

 the Chief Engineer of the Office of Works, has been introduced 

 in the west (Zoological) wing of the Museum ; and provision 

 has been made in the Museum estimates for 1909-10 for an 

 installation on similar lines on the eastern side. 



Fire Telephone, 



Telephonic connection has been made by the General Post 

 Office between the Natural History Museum and the Fire 

 Station in Trafalgar Square, Chelsea — instead of the station in 

 East Street, Manchester Square, as formerly. 



