Yd. 69.] ANNUAL REPORT. 



Rock-Specimens. 



The collection of British rocks consisted of two portions : a larger portion 

 of about 3000 specimens, which formed part of the Society's registered col- 

 lection ; and about eighty drawers full of unregistered material. Except in a 

 few instances, it has been possible to trace all the registered specimens as 

 mentioned in the Society's catalogue. 



The whole collection has been cleaned, and the registered portion carefully 

 stored in a manner which renders it easily available for reference. 



In the Society's rooms the rocks were arranged as far as possible according 

 to age, but this often meant that a collection originally intended by the donor 

 to illustrate some particular geological principle or district was divided into 

 several parts. Owing to the fact that the historical interest attached to these 

 rocks often outweighs their value as museum-specimens, those collected by an 

 author for a special purpose have been brought together ; and thus those suites 

 of specimens which illustrate papers in the Society's or other publications have 

 been arranged as separate units. 



With reference to the Society's request that any material which the Museum 

 does not wish to retain permanently should be specified, it may be stated that 

 all that portion of the Society's collection which bears registration-numbers 

 will be retained ; and that, owing to the excellent manner in which the 

 original registration was carried out, re-registration will not be necessary. 



About seventeen drawers full of unregistered specimens have been considered 

 of sufficient value and interest to merit their incorporation with the Museum 

 collection, and a catalogue of these specimens is in the course of construction. 

 As the work of examining the remainder of the unregistered material progresses 

 there will be doubtless many more specimens which will find a place in the 

 collection; but, until the examination is more nearly complete, it will be 

 impossible to say how much material will be available for distribution to 

 other institutions. 



Minerals. 



The mineral specimens received from the Geological Society, about twenty 

 in number, have been registered and placed partly in the mineral store and 

 partly in exhibition-cases; all are available for reference. 



A few specimens are being kept for consideration as regards their ultimate 

 destination. 



In concluding this report, it is a pleasant duty to lay emphasis on the great 

 value and importance of this large collection. The fossils, in particular, may 

 be said to constitute one of the finest acquisitions to the Museum of Practical 

 Geology that this institution has ever received. 



J. J. H. TEALL, Director. 



The tenth Award from the Daniel Pidgeon Trust Fund was made 

 on April 17th, 1912, to Otway H. Little, M.A., Royal College of 

 Science for Ireland, who proposed to investigate the chemical and 

 mineral changes which have taken place in the metamorphic lime- 

 stone of Connemara. A preliminary report on the progress of the 

 investigation has heen received from Mr. Little, who has now 

 joined the staff of the Egyptian Geological Survey. 



The following Awards of Medals and Funds have also been made 

 by the Council : — 



The Wollaston Medal is awarded to the Rev. Osmond Fisher, 

 M.A., in recognition of his ' researches concerning the Mineral 



