Anniversary meeting of the Linnean Society. 307 
mittee, giving way to local influences, adopted a plan described 
In the Seeretary’s reports as being in the Lombard style, with 
With fireproof materials at very large extra cost, the roof alone 
of this main building remaining in wood. In that roof, where 
little danger was forseen, a fire broke out through the care 
Tess of some workmen in June 1864, destroying much private 
Property, official papers, &c., although the most valuable stores, 
tibrary, and collections of the Institution were preserved. 
these disasters the ruling powers appear at length to be con- 
Yinced that in the work of restoration and completion they must 
look more to substantial durability than to architectural effect; 
but they are sadly hampered by the size of the building, so 
‘Thuch beyond their real wants, and its costly style, which can- 
-: 
J rd PAG Ee : 
— red. In this building were to hedepoaed ce 
) A general National Library, with provisions by which 
