ACCOUNTS, KSTIMATES, &C. OF THE BRITISH MUSEUM. 2.3 



The unique and beautiful specimen of Snlaster Morctoiiis, presented by the Earl Ducie, 

 F.E. s. beino- the type of the species described by Professor Edwaid Forbes, is one of that 

 class of donations meriting special ackncwleclgment. 



Of the total number of additions, 12,973, to the Departments of Natural History, 7,088 

 are reoistered in the Department of Zoology, 4,6.-)! in the Department of Geology, and 634 

 in the Department of Mineralogy. 



In conclusion, it has to be remarked that the present space allotted to the JNatural 

 History collections restricts the labours of the staff, in regard to a large piopnrtioti of ihe 

 specimens, to the business of conservation : whereas the purpose of the collections is to be 

 instructively exhibited, or arranged under conditions of light and access facilitaiing scientific 

 scrutiny and comparison. 



Not only the Birds, the Shells, and the Minerals should be sliown ni serial sequence, but 

 every other class of Natural History: nor ought tlie buik of the specimens, ia certain of 

 these, to be a bar to such display; for it is only in a National or British Museum in 

 which adequate space for such means of advancing Natural Science can be afforded or 



expected. 



Richard Owen. 



Department of Zoology. 



During the past year, 7,688 specimens of animals of different classes have been added 

 to the several parts of the Zoological Collection ; namely, — 



Vertebrate Animals __. = -- 3,462 



Molluscous and Radiated Animals - - - - 1,360 

 Annulose Animals ------- 2,876 



Total - - - 7,688 



Each of these additions to the collection has been reoularly marked with the date and 

 -number, and has bi en described in the manuscript register of Accessions, with a notice 

 of the locality where it was found, and the manner in which it was acquired. These 

 particulars give the history of each specimen for future use, and add greatly to its value. 



The more important specimens which have been received during the year have been 

 inserted in their proper systematic places in the collections which are exhibited to the 

 public; the specimens in these collections vihich have become deteriorated by exposure 

 and dust have been removed and replaced, and the specimens exhibited have in many 

 cases been re-airanged, to keep the collection on a level with the progress of the science of 

 Zoology, and thus afford the means of studying it in the most efficient manner. 



The labels that had become antiquated, or injured l)y exposure, have been verified or 

 restored. 



Several animals, or groups of animals, that are especially interesting to the public on 

 account of peculiarities in their structure or their habits, have been placed in isolated cases 

 upon the glass cases in the public rooms, so that tliey may be better exhibited. 



Various parts of the Entomological Collection, and of the collection of objects which are 

 kept unstuffed for moie easv study, have been re-arranged, as the additions that have been 

 made to them have rendered such a proceeding necessary or desirable. 



The scientific students and artists who make use of the collection, and especially those 

 who come to prepare and illustrate works, have been attended to and assisted. 



A large proportion of the specimens that have been in the Museum for years, and some of 

 those acquired during the past year, have been described by various zoologists of this country 

 and abroad, and by the officers of the Museum, which renders them of more importance, 

 as they become the typical specimens vvliich future naturalists must consult when they 

 desire to see the authentic specimen from which the species has been di scribed. 



The following Catalogues have been published during the year 1864: — 



Catalogue of the Coleopterous Insects of the Canaries, by T. V. VVollaston, f.l.s. 

 Catalogue of Lepidoptera Heterocera, Parts 29 and 30, by Francis Walker, f.l.s. 

 Catalogue of Fishes, Vol. V., by Dr. Giintlier. 



The illustrations for several scientific and popular works have been made from the speci- 

 mens in the Museum. 



Mammalia : — 307 Mammaha have been added to the collection ; the following may be 

 especially mentioned. 



Perhaps the most important accession in a physiological point of view is the receipt of 

 a male, a female with rudimentaiy pouch, and a very youni^ porcupine ant-eater (^Echidna) 

 in spirits ; presented by Dr. Midler of Melbourne, Australia. 



A collection of the Mammalia of the Holy Land, collected by the Rev. Mr. Tristram, 

 '2'J'J. C 4 and 



