20 ACCOUNTS, ESTIMATES, 6CC. OF THE BRITISH MUSEUM. 



Department of Geology. , 



The addiiions to the Geological Department during the past year consist of two extensive 

 Collections, and many smaller series of Specimens, of which the principal objects are hereafter 

 noticed. 



The most important of the acquisitions is the Sowerby Collection, which is estimated 

 to contain about 5,000 specimens. Its chief value arises from its comprising the greater 

 portion of the objects figured and described in the well-known standard work of the Messrs. 

 J. and J. De C. Sowerby, " The Mineral Conchology of Great Britain," a work, the pub- 

 lication of wliich occupied its authors upwards of thirty years, and which contains figures 

 and descriptions of about 1,100 species of Fossil Shells from the various British Geological 

 Formations. That the actual type specimens of this work may, for the future, be readily 

 consulted at all times, through their being deposited in the National Collection, is a fact of 

 the highest importance to the Palaeontologist. 



The second of the two great Collections above referred to, is that of the late Mr. John 

 Brown of Stanway. It is estimated to contain about 8,000 Specimens. This Collection 

 was bequeathed lo Professor Owen, who immediately transferred it to the Museum, with 

 the view that a Sc^lection miiiht be made of all such objects as were found to be 

 desiderata to the Geological Department. The selection is not yet completed, but the 

 National Collection has already been enriched by a large number of very interesting objects 

 through this valuable donation. 



Next in importance among the additions made during the past year, is the extensive 

 series of Mammalian and Reptilian remains, from various parts of India (but chiefly from 

 the Sewalik Hills), presented by Her Majesty's Secretary of State for India in Council. The 

 Collection in the British Museum already included a large portion of the remarkable Fossil 

 remains figured in the beautiful work published by Dr. Falconer and Colonel Sir Proby T. 

 Cautley, k.c.b. (the Fauna antiqua Sivalensis), yet some very important and striking Speci- 

 mens were wanting, or represented by casts only, in the National Collection, and through 

 this donation the greater part of these desiderata has been supphed. 



It is desirable to mention here that one of the species of Fossil Elephants (the Elephas 

 namadicus) discovered in the s ime locality, and which is represented by a Skull of very 

 remarkable configuration, was still wanting to the Museum, hut has been recently obtained 

 by purchase from the United Service Museum. 



Among the remaining acquisitions, the following may be noticed: — 



Upwards of 100 Specimens of Pterodactyle and other Saurian remains, chiefly from the 

 Stonestield Oolite, presented by the Earl of Enniskillen. An extensive series of Reptilian 

 remains, including Pterodactyle bones, also from the Stonesfield Oolite, presented by Sir 

 Philip de Malpas Grey Egerton, Bart., m. p. 



By these joint donations, and through purchases of Specimens from other localities, and 

 different Geological formations, the remaikable group of Flying Reptiles, associated under 

 the name Pterodactylus, is now well represented for the first time in the Geological 

 Gallery. 



A Collection of Indian Fossils, formed by Captain Vicary, presented by Sir Roderick 

 Impey Murchison, G.C. St. S., to whom the department is also indebted for the donation 

 of a series of Plants from the Permian formation of Russia, and for remains of a species 

 of Palcsoiherium from Montmartre. 



Casts of three leg bones of Dinornis giganteiis, var. maximus, Owen, together with a 

 femur and metatarsal bone, from the middle island. New Zealand, presented by ihe Rev. 

 Dr. Lillie. These remains indicate the largest sized bird hitherto discovered ; the three leg 

 bones, the casts of which are alluded to, measure in length (taken together) 5 feet 4 inches; 

 and the other thigh bone and metatarsal, indicate an individual of the same species, of still 

 larger size ; the bones of the leg, taken together, must have measured more than six feet. 



A portion of a skull of a large and very remarkable extinct carnivorous quadruped 

 {Thylacoleo carnifex, Owen), from the lacustrine deposits, about 80 miles south-west of 

 Melbouine, Australia; presented by William Adeney, Esq. 



A series of Hippopotamus Remains, from a bone cave in Palermo; presented by OctavJan 

 Blewitt, Esq. 



A small collection of Mammalian and Reptilian Remains, from a bone cave in the 

 Mauritius ; presented by Dr. Ayres. 



The donations of Fossils belonging to the invertebrate classes, are very numerous. The 

 more important are : — 



A colhction of 54 specimens of Gault Fossils from Vancouver's Island ; presented by the 

 Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty. 



One hundred and fourteen Shells from the Miocene formation of South America; pre- 

 sented by W. G. Lettsom, Esq. 



A series of Fossil Shells from the raised beach of Teneriffe ; presented by Sir Charles 

 Lyell. 



The 



