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



have likewise been described during the year by the officers of the department, iu the 

 Catalogues published by the Museum, and by then) and other zoologists in other works ; 

 and the specimens so described are rendered of typical importance. 



The 42,G91 specimens added to the Collection, have been each regularly marked and 

 described in the Manuscript Registers of Accessions, with an account whence and how they 

 were derived. This adds greatly to their value. They have been all arranged in their 

 systematic places in the rooms exhibited to the public, or set aside for special study, and 

 all properly labelled so as to give their special history. 



The following Catalogues have been published during the year 1858 :-- 



1. List of the Mammalia and Birds of New Guinea, by Dr. J. E. Gray, f.b.s., anb 



G. R. Gray, f.l.s. 



2. Catalogue of Snakes — Part 2, and Supplement, containing the Additional Specimens 



received since the ^mblication of Part 1, by Dr. Albert Giiuther. 

 a. Catalogue of Tail-less Batrachians, by Dr. Albert Giinther. 

 4-7. Catalogue of Lepidoptera Heterocera — Parts 12, 13, 14, and 15, by Francis 



Walker, f.l.s. 



8. Catalogue of Hymenopterous Insects — Part 6, Formicidae, by Frederick Smith, v.p. 



Ent. Soc. 



9. Catalogue of Neuropterous Insects (Termitidae), by Dr. Hagen. 



10. Catalogue of Homopierous Insects, by Francis Walker, f.l.s. 



11. Catalogue of Hispidse, by J. S. Baly, m.e.s. 



The following Catalogues, as well as the succeeding parts of those already printed are 

 in preparation : — 



Catalogue of Percoid Fish. 

 Catalogue of British Ants, &c. 

 Catalogue oF Pleuronectidae, &c. 

 Catalogue of Psittacidae, ate 

 List ot Olividae, Pholadidae, &c. 



The paper labels, formerly used for the specimens preserved in spirits, being liable to 

 become obliterated by the damp and dust of the rooms in which they are arranged, a new 

 system of labelling with paint has been adopted, and upwards of 500 bottles have been 

 already so labelled. 



The cabinets in the In^^ect Room have been re-arraneed, and the contents of each cabinet 

 marked m laroe lelttrs on the outside, to facilitate the labours of those who come to consult 

 the cabinets, and to name their specimens. 



The painting the labels on the stands of the recently received Birds, Mammalia, Fish, &c. 

 has been resiularly proceeded with, as fast as the painter could execute it. 



In addition to the very numerous specimens of Fish, Reptiles, Mollusca, Insects, Cms- 

 tacea, and other smaller animals prepared in the Museum, there have been set up and re-set 

 by the animal preservers — 



Mammalia, mounted -------45 



Birds „_-__.._ 147 



Reptiles „---•---- 20 



Fish „ .-30 



Skeletons and Skulls prepared - - - - - 177 

 Insects, re-set -------- 5,342 



In addition to the Collections which have been purchased, because they were the types 

 described, or as illustrating the zoology of particular regions, tlie specimens added have 

 been selected from large collections from different countries which have been offered for 

 sale, as those most required to complete the series, and tending to illustrate the scientific 

 classification, and as most useful in showing the habits and economic uses of the 

 animals. 



A number of well-instructed Collectors, including Mr. Bate, Mr. Wallace, Mr. Fraser, 

 and Mr. Foxcroft, having been to different countries for the express purpose of collecting 

 zoological subjects, gave the Museum the advantage of making the first selections from 

 their collections, and have thus enabled the Museum, during the last and some previous 

 years, to make most important accessions to the Collections. 



The following additions may be specially mentioned : 



Collections of Mammalia, Birds, Reptiles, Fish, Shells, Crustacea, and Insects, collected 

 by F. M. Rayner, Esq., Surgeon, r. n., during the Voyage of H.M.S. "Herald" in the 

 Fiji Group and other Islands of the Pacific ; presented by the Lords of the Admiralty. 



Collection of Mammalia, Birds, Reptiles, and their Skeletons, and a large Series of 

 Human Skulls from Nepal ; presented by B. H. Hodgson, Esq. 



36 — Sess. 2. C A large 



