BRITISH MUSEUM 13 



from the Amazon and from Melanesia and Dutch New Guinea, presented 

 by Mr. W. G. Wallace and Miss Wallace ; a new type of acquisition, of 

 considerable scientific interest, was inaugurated by the gift by Mr. H. C. 

 Balfour of a film of the dances, ceremonies and crafts of the Worora tribe 

 in Western AustraHa. 



The Christy Trustees, as in previous years, made some valuable 

 gifts ; of these the most important was a wooden stepped grave -post, 

 surmounted by a carved wooden figure, from the Admiralty Islands. 



Coins and Medals. 



The year was made remarkable by the accession of the great collection 

 of English coins from Edward I to the present day, formed and bequeathed 

 by the late Mr. T. B. Clarke-Thornhill. The coins number 1,500 gold and 

 5,000 silver pieces, and in certain parts more than doubles the already 

 existing Museum collection. For the period before that covered by the 

 Clarke-Thornhill collection the Museum collection is much strengthened by 

 the bequest by the late Mr. T. G. Barnett of his collection of over 1,000 

 Ancient British and Anglo-Saxon Coins. Among other coins added may 

 be mentioned a heavy noble of Edward IV, one of the only three known, 

 presented in memory of the late Dr. G. C. Brooke, of the Department, 

 by his friends. Treasure Trove continued to fill gaps, 25 gold pieces of 

 James I and Charles I coming from a find at Muckleford. 



Laboratory. 



Chemical analysis has been appHed to ancient Chinese papers from 

 Tun Huang, and certain drawings recognised thereby as forgeries. 

 Insecticides have been investigated, with special view to the Death Watch 

 Beetle. Experiments have been made in cleaning old wax, especially in 

 connexion with the Westminster Effigies ; and (with the aid of Messrs. 

 Schall & Son) tests were evolved by which it is possible to tell the difference 

 between ancient and modern-worked metal. 



The chief piece of restoration carried out in the laboratory during the 

 year was that of the 12th century Irish reliquary, the Shrine of St. 

 Manchan. 



Training has been given not only to members of the British Museum 

 staff, but also to officers of other museums. 



GEORGE HILL, 



British Museum, Director and Principal Librarian. 



April, 1936. 



