22 ACCOUNTS, &C. OF THE BRITISH MUSEUM. 



The proportion of the Pisces similarly prepared or preserved in spirits, and displayed 

 in systematic order in the glazed cabinets of the compartment allotted to the class is 

 necessarily small. These specimens are all in good condition. The few which, from their 

 large size, are exposed, receive the same care as the mammals and reptiles under similar 

 circumstances. 



The major proportion of the cold-blooded Vertebrata, including most of the Lizards, 

 Serpents, and Fishes, is stored in the basement vault under inevitably unfavourable 

 conditions as to crowding and temperature, to which reference has been made in former 

 Annual Reports. These specimens are preserved in alcohol, and are in a state of preser- 

 vation. 



The proportion of the series of the Shells of the Mollusca, arranged and exhibited in the 

 glazed cases of the public gallery is in a good state of preservation, well placed and labelled 

 for instruction and comparison. The Shells preserved, and for the most part in systematic 

 arrangement, in the drawers of cabinets, are in a state of perfect preservation. 



The specimens of the classes Tunicata, Acalephce, Annelida, and Entozoa ; the orders 

 l^udibranchiata, Inferohranchiata ; the families LimacidcB, Oncidiadce, and FiroiidcB, and 

 most of the class Cephalopoda, are preserved in spirits and stored in the vaults. They 

 crowd so closely the space allotted to them that access to the specimens not in the front 

 row is difficult and hazardous, and the utility of this part of the Zoology in aid of the 

 progress of the science is restricted. 



The small portion of the class Insecta publicly displayed is in a good state of preserva- 

 tion, and is instructively arranged and labelled. The large portion of the class in the 

 Basement Entomological Storeroom is in a good state of preservation, and so arranged 

 in drawers as to be accessible for study and comparison. 



The portion of the class Crustacea (Crabs, Lobsters, Prawns, Shrimps, &c.) exhibited 

 and arranged systematically, together with that stored in drawers, is in a good state of 

 preservation, and can be readily studied and compared. The small proportion preserved 

 in spirits is in a state of preservation. 



Of the class Arachnida (Scorpions, Spiders, Mites, &c.), a few only of the larger kinds 

 are exposed to view, stuffed or dried, in the glazed cabinets ; both these and similarly 

 preserved specimens arranged in drawers are in good condition. A large proportion of 

 the class is preserved in spirits and stored. 



The portion of the class Echinodermata (Star-fish, Sea-urchins, Sea-eggs, Trepang, &c.) 

 exhibited in the dried state and displayed, systematically arranged in the glazed cabinets, 

 is in a good state of preservation. The specimens stored in drawers and boxes are well 

 preserved. The Holothurias and other members of the class stored and in alcohol are in 

 a state of preservation. 



The Corals and hard parts of other Zoophytes which occupy detached glazed cases in the 

 Mammalian Gallery are in a good state of preservation. The major part of the Radiata 

 is well preserved in drawers, accessible for study and comparison. 



The great bulk of the collection of Osteological Specimens, human and comparative, 

 stored in the basement vaults, is kept in good preservation, fit for future systematic dis- 

 play, and, as regards the entire framework of an animal, where such has been acquired, 

 in a state fit for future articulation and exhibition in an Osteological Gallery. 



The exhibited series of Nests, Nidamental Structures, and Eggs, also those of Horns 

 and Antlers, and the sub-department of British Natural History, are severally in a good 

 state of preservation. All the specimens are labelled, and the serial and systematic 

 arrangements are carried out to the utmost conditions of allotted space. 



The specimens of Geology and Fossil Remains, both exhibited and in store, are in a 

 good state of preservation. The exhibited specimens are instructively labelled and 

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

 Those which are stored in drawers, or in parts of the Museum not accessible to the public, 

 are well arranged for study by scientific visitors. The series of the Mineralogy is in a 

 good state of preservation, and in an instructive state of arrangement, display, and 

 classification. 



The more notable and interesting specimens received during the past year are referred 

 to in the Reports from the several departments. Some of them have afforded subjects for 

 special monographs. 



Richard Owen. 



Depaetment of Zoologt. 



The various classes of the Animal Kingdom comprised in the Collection of Zoology 

 have been increased during the year 1869 to the extent of 8,979 specimens. These may 

 be divided into their several classes, and thus exhibit the relative portion that belongs to 

 each class, as follows : — 



Vertebrata - - . - - - - 2,440 



Mollusca and Radiata . _ - _ _ 3,591 



Annulosa -------- 2,948 



Total - - - 8,979 



Each 



