24 ACCOUNTS, &C., OF THE BRITISH MUSEUM. 



Tlie proportion of the collection of the Reptilia, stuffed, mounted, and preserved in 

 aystematic arrangement, displayed in the glazed cabinets, is in a good state of preservation. 

 The larger specimens, standing or suspended above the cabinets, have been maintained in 

 a state of preservation, without more deterioration than is inevitable from such exposure. 



The proportion of fishes yPisces), stuffed and mounted, or preserved in spirits, and 

 displayed in systematic order in the glazed cabinets of the gallery allotted to the class, 

 is in good condition. But the proportion which can be so preserved and shown is small, 

 and those in spirit which are exhibited are in a less trying and variable temjoerature than 

 those in store. The dried specimens of fishes, which, from their large size, are exposed, 

 require and receive the same attention, and with the same result in maintaining their state 

 of preservation, as the larger Mammals and reptiles under similar circumstances. 



The major part of the collections of the cold-blooded Vertehratu , including most of the 

 lizards, serpents, and fishes, is stored in the basement vaults, under the inevitably un- 

 favourable conditions as to crowding and temperature, to some of the effects of which 

 reference has already been made. With that reservation this numerous and valuable 

 series of specimens continues to be kept in good working condition. 



The proportion of the series of the shells of the 3Ioi'lusca, arranged and exhibited in the 

 glazed floor-cases of the Bird Gallery, is in a good state of preservation, well placed and 

 labelled for instruction and comparison. That part of the collection of shells which is 

 kept in drawers and closed cabinets is in systematic order, easy of access, and in a state of 

 perfect preservation. 



The specimens of the classes Tunicata, Acalepha, Annelida, and Entozoa, Avith speci- 

 mens of the orders Nudihranchlata, Inferobrancldata; of thefavnilies Limacida:, Onc'idiada, 

 and FirolidcR, and the major part of the class Cephalopoda, are preserved in spirits and 

 stored in the basement vaults, under the conditions referred to in reference to the ver- 

 tebrate species preserved in spirits ; they cannot, therefore, be so favourably reported on, 

 as would be the case if the care and pains bestowed on their preservation were applied 

 under conditions of more space, with cooler and steadier temperature and better light. 



The small portion of the class of insects displayed and arranged in the galleries to 

 which the public have access is in a good state of preservation and is instructively 

 labelled ; the large portion of the class in the basement Entomological work and store- 

 room is in a good state of preservation, and so arranged in drawers of easy access as to 

 facilitate study and comparison. 



The proportion of the classes Crustacea and A/acJuiida selected for exhibition in the 

 part of the public galleries available for that purpose includes examples of the orders 

 and principal families, and sjoecimens selected for remarkable characters of size or shape ; 

 these specimens are in a good state of preservation. The larger proportion stored in 

 drawers is also in a good state of preservation, and is accessible for study and com- 

 parison. A small proportion of the Crustacea, and a larger one of Arachnida, are pre- 

 served in spirits. 



The portion of the class Ecldnodermata (star-fish, sea-urchins, sea-eggs, trepang) in a 

 dry state, systematically arranged and displayed in the glazed cabinets, is well preserved. 

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

 Many species of the class (^Holothuriadcc, Sipu7iculidce) forin part of the large collection of 

 the store -specimens in spirits. 



The corals and hard parts of other Zoophytes, which occupy detached glazed cases in 

 the ]\Iamuialian Gallery, are in a good state of ^^reservation. The additions to the series 

 of siliceous sponges, of the genera E'iplectella, Pheronemn, Hyaloneina, and their allies, 

 most of them exemplifying the great depths in the ocean at which such grade of life can 

 be maintained, are well worthy of observation ; they are represented chiefly by the 

 filamentary framework of the organism, and are well preserved. The major jiart of the 

 Radiata and Protozoa is kept in drawers, accessible for study and comparison, and in a 

 good state of preservation. 



The main part of the collection of osteological specimens, human and comparative, 

 is stored, and now crowded, in the basement vaults. The specimens are kept in a state of 

 preserA'ation, fit for future systematic and useful display, and in regard to the entire bony 

 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 whole Sub-department of the British Natural Histoi-y, both exhibited 

 and in drawers, are severally in a good state of preservation. All the specimens are 

 labelled, and the serial and systematic arrangements are carried out as far as the conditions 

 of the allotted space now permit. 



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, and in cabinets of parts of the Museum not accessible to the 

 public, are well arranged for study and reference by scientific visitors. 



The main part of the Collection of Mineralogy is exhibited in a state of instructive 

 aiTangement under conditions affording great facility of study and scientific application. 

 The whole series of minerals is in a perfect state of preservation. 



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

 to in the reports from the several departments. 



Richard Owen. 



