3^ THE WOMBAT. 



MUSEUM AND LIBRARY. 



During 1896, 139 specimens were presented to the 

 museum, while the library received 265 publications (exclusive 

 of periodicals, against 196 specimens and 156 publications 

 respectively in the previous year. 



Great improvements have been effected in the new 

 reading-room, which is now a very comfortable place for 

 studying, and is largely availed of by the students of the 

 college, who have subscribed amongst themselves for a new 

 linoleum for the floor. We have to tender our sincere thanks 

 to the various publishers (enumerated below) who have 

 kindly supplied us with free copies of their respective journals. 



There are now 2163 exhibits entered on the museum 

 record, and about 1000 more which we have been unable to 

 find time to deal with so far. 



One of our weakest points at present is the ornithological 

 branch : our collection of birds is very small, and it would 

 help us materially if some of our friends would occasionally 

 send us a few bird specimens. 



The hampered condition of the college finances prevents 

 us making the progress which might naturally be expected, 

 as we are unable to obtain new cases, and are experiencing 

 considerable difficulty in finding case room for large 

 specimens. 



The most notable addition to our collection during the 

 year was a fine alligator which was sent down from Queens- 

 land by Mr. Ward Nicholson on a recent trip, while the 

 technical side of the museum received substantial help by the 

 presentation of an exhibit illustrating the manufacture of 

 rope, from Messrs. M. Donaghy & Sons. 



H. E. Hill. „ n 



t xj t Hon. Curators. 



J. Hammertox, Junr., 



The Horticultural Society has issued prize schedules for 

 two Autumn Shows. The first will be for flowers, fruit, and 

 vegetables, on 25th and 26th March, and the second for 

 chrysanthemums on 27th April next. The members are to 

 be complimented upon these schedules, as all growers seem 

 to be catered for. and the numerous special prizes offered 

 show that no effort has been spared to secure the sympathies 

 of a very large proportion of the citizens of Geelong. 



Members of the Art Societv have been engaged in out- 

 door sketching during the past quarter, so that a fine 

 collection may be expected when the half-yearly examination 

 takes place. It is said that some of the productions are 

 sufficiently meritorious to be placed in any gallery. 



