ACCOUNTS, ESTIMATES, &C. OF THE BRITISH MUSEUM. 21 



without, for the most part, other deterioration than is inevitable in regard to the proportion 

 of the exhibited specimens for which there is not accommodation in the glazed cabinets. 



Specimens in which such deterioration has reached a certain degree have been removed, 

 and replaced by new or better examples of ihe same species. 



The unstuffed skins of the Mammalia in store are in such state of preservation as to 

 subserve the purposes of scientific examination and comparison, and most of them are in a 

 state fit for future preparation and exhibition. 



The proportion of the collection of Bird skins and skeletons mounted and exhibited in 

 systematic order is in a good state of preservation. Some of the cabinets are now more 

 crowded than is consistent with the desirable facility of comparison and study, or with 

 easy access to the specimens. 



I'he remainder of the collection of bird skins, unmounted, in storage, preserved in boxes 

 and cupboards in the basement vaults, are in a state of preservation, available for the pur- 

 poses of study of characters and of comparison, but, in a certain proportion, not easily 

 accessible for such uses. 



The proportion of the collection of Reptiles and Fishes preserved and displayed is in a 

 good state of preservation and of instructive arrangement. The greater proportion of this 

 Collection, including the bulk of the specimens of Fishes, is stored in the basement, in a 

 space now so crowded as to oppose great obstruction to their scientific study and com- 

 parison. Such stored specimens are preserved in alcohol, and their locality occasions rapid 

 evaporation and deterioration of the preserving liquor. The preservation of the specimens 

 under these circumstances is costly. 



The arranged and exhibited series of the Shells of the Molluscous animals is in a good 

 stale of preservation, well placed, displayed and labelled for instruction and reference. 

 This series includes a large proportion of the Conchology. The classes, orders, and families 

 of Shell-less Mollusca are preserved in spirits and stored in the basement vaults, on shelves, 

 now so crowded thai access to any, not in the front row, is diSicult or hazardous, and the 

 scientific utility of this part of the collection continues to be gravely restricted. 



The small proportion of the class In^ecta publicly displayed is in a good state of preser- 

 vation, and instructively arranged and labelled. The very large proportion of the class in 

 the Basemeni Entomological Store Room is in a good state of preservation, and so arranged 

 in drawers, as to be accessible for study and comparison. 



A large proportion of the class Echinodermata is now exhibited and systematically 

 arranged. All the specimens of this class are in a state of preservation. 



The corals and other Radiata, in the public Gallery, occupy small detached glazed cases 

 in such spaces as can, with least inconvenience, be taken from the gangways of the 

 Mammalian Saloon. The instructiveness of this part of the Zoological Collection is 

 afi'ected by the want of an appropriate oallery, such as that which allows of the arrangement 

 of the Molluscous Shells in the order of then- progressive affinities. 



The collection of the Osteological specimens, human and comparative, is in a state of 

 preservation. The additions to this series have been unavoidably numerous, and, in the 

 restricted space which can be afforded to tlie Collection in the basement, render more 

 difficult the access to the specimens ; the present conditions of their stowage cause great 

 obstacles lo application in the comparison of fossil and recent bones. All the specimens 

 are preserved in a state fit for future articulation and arrangement, when a Gallery for their 

 exhibition may be provided. 



The exhibited series of Nests and Nidamental structures, and of the British Natural 

 History, are severally in a good state of preservation. Present conditions of ?pace necessitate 

 the display of the extensive series of horns and antlers apart from the stuffed specimens 

 and skeletons of the species to which they belong or are allied. 



The spaces respectively allotted to such proportions of each class of the Zoology as can be 

 shown to the public, are now so filled, or crowded, that the addition thereto ot a specimen, 

 the rarity or other quality of wliich may enforce its claim to exhibition, involves the removal 

 of another specimen, and usually of more or less re-ariangement of the exhibited series. 



The proportion of the series of the fossil remains which is exhibited is instructively 

 arranged, and labelled, and in most instances of easy access for scientific examination and. 

 comparison. The proportion of the fossil series kept in store is partly arranged in glazed 

 cabinets in a recess to which the public have not access, partly in drawers; but for the 

 most part easily available to the student and scientific visitor. All the fossil specimens, 

 exhibited and in store, are in a good state of preservation. 



A large proportion of the series of Mineralogy is exhibited under conditions of arrange- 

 ment, with illustrative models and indices, and with generic and specific labelling, greatly 

 facihtating its instructive study and scientific applications. For full fruition and completely 

 carrying out of the latter there are only wanting the Mineralogist's Laboratory and Gonio- 

 metrical Room. All the specimens of Minerals displa,yed and in store, are in a perfect 

 state of preservation. 



A geographical group of animals — those of the Holy Land, most interesting to a large 

 class of public visitors as well as Biblical students, and the absence of any specimens of 

 which had been much felt — began to be supplied by the Collection of Fisfies from the Lake 

 or Sea of Galilee, presented by Mr. Beddome, and noticed in the Annual Report for 1863. 

 In the pasi year Scriptural Zoology has been further exemplified by animals of other 

 classes, collected in Syria and Judaea, and presented by the Rev. H. B. Tristram, m.a. 



277. 03 The 



