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



I V. — Exh ihition s. 



The following medals have been selected for exhibition in the King's Library, and 

 have been placed in eight table cases : — - 



660 English, 355 Italian, 97 German, 8G Dutch, 122 French, 42 various modern, in all 

 1,362. To these have been attached 1,249 descriptive labels. 



The number of visitors to the Medal Eoom in 1879 was 1,620. 

 The number of visitors to the Gold Ornament Koom was 18,931. 



Reginald Stuart Poole. 



Departments of Natukal History. 



A proportion of the work in the Departments, during the past year, has been 

 applied to the preparation of the several collections for the pending transfer of the 

 specimens to the New Museum. 



In the course of this work revision and verification of the specific names and labels have 

 kept pace with attention to the material condition of the specimens, together with such 

 temporary arrangements and groupings as will tend to facilitate the transfer and diminish 

 the effects of shock and friction. 



The additions to the Departments of Natural History during the year 1879 are 60,022 

 in number; of Avhich 45,881 have been placed in the Department of Zoology, 13,112 in 

 that of Geology, and 1,029 in that of Mineralogy. The zoclouical additions, save those 

 received from the " Hewitson Bequest," have been entered in the Manuscript Register. The 

 Geological additions have been similarly registered ; as have been the additions to the 

 Mineralogy. 



The Section V. " Acquisitions" in the " llepoi't from the keeper of the Zoology," confirm 

 and substantiate the grounds of the " Reports on the conditions of Space," submitted by the 

 Superintendent in the years 1857 and 1858, and followed by the "Estimates and Plan of 

 Spaces, with Residences " needed ; which Estimates, &c., were ordered by the Honourable 

 the House of Commons to be printed 11th March 1859 ; a similar remark applies to the 

 " Return to the Order of the Honourable House of Commons," of the 2nd March 1862. 



Progress in the arrangement of the portions of the several Collections of the Natural 

 History at present exhibited has consisted chiefly in the substitution of better, rarer, and 

 more instructive specimens for inferior ones relegated, when worthy, to the series in store. 



The stuffed specimens of the class Alammalia have been kept in a state of preservation 

 without other deterioration than is inevitable in regard to those exhibited specimens for 

 which there is no accommodation in the glazed cabinets. 



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

 subserve the purj^oses of scientific examination and comparison, and most of them are in a 

 state fit for future preparation and exhibition. 



The portion of the collection of Bird-skins, mounted and exhibited in systematic order, 

 has been subjected to a withdrawal of certain specimens found to be deteriorated ; but 

 available, when unstuffed, for preserving, with the skin, the beak and feet, for transference 

 to the store collection, in a state suitable for the examination and comparisons of the Orni- 

 thologist ; the rest of this attractive part of the Zoology is in a good state of preservation. 



The extensive collection of bird-skins, unmounted, in storage, preserved in boxes and 

 cupboards in the basement-vaults, is in a state of preservation available for the purposes 

 of study and comparison ; but, in a certain proportion, less accessible than could be wished, 

 through lack of space. 



The portion of the collection of Reptiles and Fishes, preserved for public display, and 

 mostly in systematic order, is in a good state of preservation. The larger proportion of 

 this collection, iucluding the bulk of the specimens of Lizards, Serpents, and Fishes, is 

 stored in the basement vaults. Such specimens are preserved in methylated spirit, ine- 

 vitably under conditions, through variation of temperature and occasional heat of the 

 locality, occasioning evaporation, and other conditions accelerating decay. 



Registered specimens, so far affected as to lose external characters, are removed, the fact 

 and cause being noted In the " Register ;" but in every case where the bony texture is 

 firm enough for a dry preparation, more or less of the skeleton is transferred to the 

 Osteological Series. 



The proportion of the series of Shells of the Molluscous animals, arranged and exhibited 

 In the Public Gallery, is in a good state of preservation, well arranged, and labelled for 

 instruction and comparison. This selection of shells gives an epitome of Conchology, 

 and models of the soft parts of the species, or fabricators of the shells, are added; the 

 selection of such models serving to exemplify the characters of the leading groups of the 

 Molluaca. 



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

 tion, and is Instructively arranged and labelled. The large proportion of the class in the 

 basement Entomological Room is in a good state of preservation, and so arranged in 

 drawers as to be easily accessible for study and comparison. Many specimens in this 

 series have been re-set. The portion of the class Ecliinodermata, exhibited and arranged 

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

 preservation. 



The 



