l6 ACCOUNTS, ESTIMATES, &C. OF BRITISH MUSEUM. 



Thus the Collection of Fossil Fishes (now considerably augmented) has been removed from 

 Room v., where it was interposed between the Reptiles and the Mammalia, and is re-arranoed 

 iu Room II. The Fishes now commence the series of Fossil Vertebrate Animals, and are 

 followed by the Reptiles, Birds, and Mammalia. A further chauue has been effected in the 

 Gallery : by the substitution of skyhghts for side windows, the whole of one side of 

 Room III. has become available for wall cases, wliich, when completed, will furnish space 

 for the re-arrangement of the Reptilia, in which class many important additions have been 

 recently made, especially by the acquisition of the Mantellian Collection, so rich in the 

 Remains of the gigantic Iguanodons, Cetiosauri, Pelorosauri, &c. 



In the Invertebrate Classes, attention has been chiefly directed to the namino- and 

 arranging the Tertiary Fossils ; of these, upwards of 800 species have been displayed in the 

 cases during the past year, a larjae portion consisting of the beautiful Fossil Shells from the 

 Paris basin. Other groups, which had been previously arranged, have received manv 

 additions, especially the Brachiopoda, Rudista, and Crinoidea. 



The principal acquisitions to the Department during the year are — ' 



By Donation. 



Some Mammalian Remains, including characteristic parts of a Rhinoceros, Hippothe- 

 rium, and some species of Ruminants from China, presented by Daniel H anbury, Esq., 

 together with 64 specimens of Fossil Shells (many of which have been figured and described 

 in the Geological .Journal), from the same quarter. The specimens were procured from the 

 druggists' shops at Canton, where they are sold for medicinal properties which they are 

 supposed to possess. 



A large series of Mammalian Remains from the Val d'Arno, Tuscany, presented by 

 J. B. Pentland, Esq. The chief specimens of this Collection are referable to a very large 

 species of Hippopotamus, of which there are many characteristic parts in a good state of 

 preservation. Bones belonging to species of Rhinoceros, Elephant, Horse, and several 

 kinds of Ruminants, also form part of the series. 



A series of Insect Remains from the Lias, and some other Fossils, by the Rev. J. B. 

 Brodie. 



A Collection of Tertiary Fossils, chiefly Nummulitic Shells from Persia, presented by 

 W. K. Loftus, Esq., Geologist to the Boundary Commission. 



A large mass of white transpaient Rock Salt, from the Salt Mountain of Neyba, St. 

 Domingo, presented by Sir Robert Schomburgk. 



A fine specimen of Natron from Egypt, presented by the Rev. Pascoe G. Hill. 



By Purchase. 



Allusion has been made to the Mantellian Collection as formintr part of the recent 

 acquisitions. It may be well to observe, that although the whole collection formed by the 

 late Dr. Mantell was offered to the Museum, it was thought desirable to purchase only such 

 objects as were new to the Museum Collection, or which had some peculiar interest attached 

 to them ; these, however, were found to be numerous, upwards of 1,000 specimens of Fossils 

 belonaing to the Invertebrate Classes ; and about 100 specimens of Vertebrata, being for the 

 most part remains of the gigantic Reptiles of the Wealden formation, having been selected. 



A Collection of Fossil Cephalapoda from the cretaceous and Jurassic strata of the Basses 

 Alps. This Collection, formed by M. Astier, contains many specimens figured by D'Orbigny 

 in the " Paleontologie Frangaise," and by M. Astier in his " Cataloaue descriptif des 

 Ancyloceras." It consists of 1,323 specimens, including 543 species, among which are 

 many extraordinaiy examples of the genera Crioceras, Ancyloceras, Toxoceras, Heteroceras, 

 Sec, genera which are but feebly represented in the English formations. 



Another very important addition is the Collection of Belgian Carboniferous Fossils of 

 M. De Koninck, so well known for his works descriptive of these Fossils. The Collection 

 contains about 500 species, to which were added 125 species of Shells of the Devonian 

 formation, and 250 species of the Tertiary Fossils of Belgium; in all, the number of spe- 

 cimens included in the purchase is about 3,000. A considerable series of Remains of 

 Ichthyosaurus and Plesiosaurus, from Lyme Regis; a Collection of Mammalian Remains from 

 the caverns of Sundwig, in Westphalia ; among which are some very fine Bear Skulls, and 

 Skulls and other parts referable to species of Lion, Hyaena, Rhinoceros, Glutton, Wolf, 

 Ox, &c. ; a perfect Plastron of a large Turtle, some parts of other Turtles, and some Fish 

 Remains from Swanage ; and a Palate of the Ant/tracot/terium Magnum from Germany, are 

 all worthy of especial notice amongst the additions made during the past year. The last- 

 mentioned object is apparently the most characteristic fragment hitherto found of that large 

 extinct Pachyderm; it presents the entire series of teeth of the upper jaw in a very perfect 

 state of preservation. 



The Mineralogical Collection is already so extensive, and so rich in species and varieties, 

 that novelties do not very frequently present tiiemselves ; yet, besides those already noticed 

 under the head " Donations," the following specimens form interesting additions; viz. — 

 a fine specimen of Native Gold, in the matrix, from the Port Philip district. South 



Australia ; 



