34 ACCOUNTS, ESTIMATES &C. OP THE BRITISH MUSEUM. 



The portion of the class Ech'rnodermata exhibited and arranged systematically, together 

 with that stored in drawers and boxes, is in a good state of preservation. 



The specimens of the class Acalepha, together with the other soft-bodied invertebrate 

 animals, stored and kept in alcohol, being, as regards the available locality, under 

 the same unfavourable conditions as affect the stored specimens of Reptilia and Pisces, 

 cannot be so favourably reported of as would be the case if the care and pains in their 

 preservation were bestowed under conditions of more space, cooler and steadier tempera- 

 ture, and better light. 



The Corals and other Radiata and Protozoa in the Public Galleries occupy detached glazed 

 cases of such size and in such spaces as occasion least obstruction to the gangways and other 

 interspaces left for the passage of visitors ; consequently, the serial juxtaposition, exem- 

 plifying — as iu Ornithology and Conchology — the order of progressive affinities, can- 

 not be carried out in their arrangement. 



The Collection of the Osteological Specimens, human and comparative, is in a state of 

 preservation. The additions to this series continue to be numerous, and, in the restricted 

 basement space available for storing this Collection, the obstacles to its application in the 

 comparison of fossil and recent bones, annually increase. All the specimens are preserved 

 in a state fit for future systematic display ; and as regards the entire skeletons, for articu- 

 lation, 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 and arrangement. Present con- 

 ditions of space necessitate the display of the extensive series of Horns and Antlers of 

 Mammalia, in a large proportion, apart from the stuffed specimens and skeletons of the 

 species to which they belong or are allied. 



In the Geological Department, many fossils of the Mammalian and Reptilian classes 

 have had their condition, in respect of instructive display of characters, improved, since 

 their reception, in the Museum, by the careful removal of matrix, re-adjustment and 

 cementing of separated parts, and by restoration of the lost adhesive or consolidating 

 animal principles. 



Corresponding labour and skill have been applied, where needed, in the improvement as 

 well as conservation of the fossil Testacea, Crustacea, Echinodermata, Corals, and 

 Zoophytes. 



Improved arrangements have been carried out during the past year in several series of 

 fossil remains. 



The proportion of the Geological Collection kept in store is partly arranged, in glazed 

 cases, 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 of animals and plants, whether exhibited or in store, are in a 

 good state of preservation. 



The major part of the series of Mineralogy is publicly exhibited, under conditions of 

 arrangement, with illustrative models and indices, and with generic and specific labelling, 

 greatly facilitating its instructive study and scientific applications. All the Minerals, 

 displayed and kept in store, are in a perfect state of preservation. 



The most notable additions to the several departments are referred to in the subsequent 

 Keports from them respectively. 



The total number of additions to the Natural History Departments is 35,552, of which 

 24,144 have been added to the Zoology, 10,372 to the Geology, and 1,036 to the 

 Mineralogy. 



Richard Owen. 



Department of Zoology. 



The increase of specimens made to the Zoological Collection during the year 1868 has 

 amounted to 24,144. 



The following table readily shows what proportion of these specimens belongs to each 

 of the chief classes of the animal kingdom : — 



Vertebrata - - 2,195 



MoUusca and Eadiata ------ 4,315 



Annulosa -------- 17,634 



Total - - - 24,144 



These examples have been separately entered, and marked with a series of numbers 

 similar to that adopted in the manuscript Eegister of Accessions, wherein the locality is 

 recorded, and a statement given to show whether the specimen was acquired by donation 

 or purchase. 



The specimens that have been presented are many of them of great interest, either 

 from^ their rarity, or from being the type specimens of new species ; whilst the examples 

 obtained by purchase have been carefully selected from various Collections, as those 



that 



