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



Among the additions to the series illustrative of the nidification, oviposition, and 

 immature plumage of Birds, specified in the " Report " from the " Zoology," may tere 

 be noted the nests and eggs of the Flamingo {PhcEiiicopterus antiquorum) and the large 

 series of the eggs of rare birds from the l^orth-west of Borneo. The range of specific 

 modifications in existing large " Wingless Birds" bearing instructive relation to the wider 

 range of such in the extinct Moas (Dinornis) of New Zealand, has been further exemplified 

 in the past year by the reception of three specimens of Cassowary ( Cnsuarius aus(ralis) 

 from Northern Australia, and by two specimens from the South Eastern part of New 

 Guinea ( Casuarius Kaupi and Cas. Beccarii). 



Among the Donations received the specimen of the wild Fallow-deer (Cervus Dama), 

 from Asia Minor, presented by C. Gr. Danford, Esq., and the Collection of Heteropterous 

 Lepidoptera from the Gold Coast, Africa, presented by Lord Walsingham, merit special 

 notice. 



With other labours in the Department of Zoology has been carried on that of selecting 

 and setting apart the Duplicate Specimens, available for exchanges, and suitable for 

 distribution to other National, and to Provincial, Museums, to which, in the past year, 

 not fewer than 3,443 such specimens have been distributed. 



The formation of the indispensable " Library of Zoology " has been commenced, and a 

 Catalogue of the Works, including those acquired in the year 1880, has been printed. 



The preparations for removal of the Geological specimens from the Museum at Blooms- 

 bury to that in Cromwell-road occupied, under constant supervision, by reason of the 

 fragile character of many, including the most conspicuous, rare, and important kinds, such 

 as the articulated and other skeletons of the larger extinct Mammals, Birds, and Reptiles, 

 the labours of the entire staff during the first half of the year 1880. 



The numerous specimens which had been stored in the vaults of the British Museum were 

 severally subject to close inspection and cleansing prior to being packed for removal. 

 The transfer of the entire collection to Cromwell Road was completed before the end of 

 October, and the result, so far as the unpacking has been effected (an operation the 

 progress of which is dependent upon the provision of the cases and cabinets for the 

 reception of the specimens in due state of instructive arrangement and display), has been 

 successful beyond anticipation. The re-articulation of such specimens as the skeleton of 

 the Mecjatherium, Mastodon, and Dinornis, exemplify the success attendant on careful 

 package and transport. The entire staff of the Department of Geology is now in occupa- 

 tion of the Ofllices, Studies, and Workrooms assigned thereto in the Museum of JNatural 

 History, Cromwell-road. 



Among the additions, by purchase, to this Department may be noted the fossil skull of 

 the Bird {Argilloriiis longipennis') and that of the huge Turtle {Chelone ffigas), both from 

 the " London clay " of the Isle of Sheppey. Of the Donations, that, by the Rev. 

 W. Darwin Fox, M.A., of the mandibular ramus and teeth of the Choeropotamus 

 Cuvieri; and that of the skull of the great horned Land-lizard {Megalania prlsca), from 

 the petrified drift of Queensland, Australia, by Dr. George Bennett, f.l.s., of Sydney, . 

 New South Wales, merit special mention. 



The entire collection of the Department of Mineralogy has been transferred from the 

 British Museum, Bloomsbury, and received at that of Natural History, Cromwell Gardens, 

 without detriment to any of the specimens. These, including, with the previously 

 exhibited series, a great part of the minerals, which had been stored iu drawers, have 

 been arranged and displayed in the cabinets of the Gallery of Mineralogy. The location 

 of the larger specimens with the Meteorites is in progress, and will complete the 

 exposition of this Department of the Natural History. The systematic labelling of the 

 exhibited specimens has enhanced the value of the collection to Students of Mineralogy. 



The advantage of improved light admitted to the Goniometrical Room in the Cromwell- 

 road Museum is an important gain in reference to the work of determining the angles of 

 a crystal, and consequently accelerating the formation of the scientific catalogue of the 

 objects in the Department of Mineralogy. 



Amongst the additions acquired by purchase, the considerable portion of the large 

 Meteorite which fell in Emmet County, State of Iowa, United States, on the 10th May 

 1859, deserves special mention. 



The Department of Botany includes two well-defined collections ; one, termed the 

 " Herbarium," consists of the dried parts of Plants, essential for showing the specific 

 characters, and for exemplifying the aflSnities and systematic position of Species, the 

 other collection includes the economical products of the vegetable kingdom ; the larger 

 seeds, fruits, modifications of roots ; the various useful and ornamental woods, mostly 

 shown in polished sections ; the larger leaves and stems, and intelligible restorations of 

 exotic kinds of plants. This constitutes the exhibited part of the Botanical Department, 

 and is open to the Public. 



In the past year the Herbarium was safely transferred to the Botanical Gallery of the 

 Natural History Museum ; the exhibited series remains to be transferred there. 



Richard Owen. 



