PROCEEDINGS XV 



of birds and mammals against the special dangers which 

 occur in China. The condition of the cases is now such that 

 a thorough biennial overhaul is best and under no circum- 

 stances should the cases be opened during the period inter- 

 vening between the biennial overhauls. This does not of 

 course apply to the skin collections which are kept in special 

 drawers and are available for study during the winter months 

 only. The main points of the overhaul are the examination 

 of the cases for cracks in the woodwork, especially on the 

 top and between the glass and its frame, which cracks should 

 be filled with chunam or paint; a liberal supply of fresh 

 naphthalene sifted on all the shelves; careful attention to 

 locks and fastenings, closer apposition being obtained with 

 the help of small nails and screws ; and finally any remaining 

 crevices and open keyholes should be plugged firmly with 

 cotton wool from the outside. This trouble is well worth 

 taking, and is indeed necessary for maintaining an insect- 

 proof and dust-proof condition. 



As regards the building, the roof is now in sound 

 condition. The old Chinese tiled roof was replaced by water- 

 proofed felt in 1909, but had to be covered with corrugated 

 iron in 1915. Repainting of the roof should be done this 

 year. The ground floor suffers from the absence of .a proper 

 damp-proof course. This defect has to- some extent been 

 remedied by laying solid rat-proof tarred stone floors with 

 creasoted boarding. On the whole the building, though 50 

 years old, is sound, is maintained in good condition and is 

 quite suitable for the purposes of the Society. It moreover 

 lias the advantage of a central position. 



As regards the value of the collections, that of the birds, 

 consisting as it does of some 3,000 Chinese specimens re- 

 presenting upwards of 500 species, is estimated at $10,000. 

 The duplicates available for disposal at an average sale price 

 of $2 per skin should more than cover cost of collection, 

 which during the last 16 years has amounted to $1,000. 

 The collection of mammals is probably worth $1,500. The 

 reptiles and amphibians consisting of some 1,500 Chinese 

 specimens representing 100 species may be valued at $2,000. 

 The minerals and fossils form a very interesting collection 

 valued at $2,000. The whole collection is worth approxi- 

 mately $20,000 and would be extremely difficult to replace. 

 It is well worth considerable trouble to maintain in good 

 order. 



The past policy has been to keep the Museum as a 

 natural history Museum almost exclusively, with a definite 

 educational purpose. The idea of a Museum as a mausoleum 

 of curiosities is not worth considering. Children are born 



