The Value of Earth Temperatures. 15 



I place the results of this investigation on the table, without 

 reading the details. I will merely draw your attention to the 

 fact, that taking the average of 23 years, the readings of the 

 Thermometer are as follows : — 



3 2 feet below the surface ... ... ... 46° 4 



6-4 „ „ „ 46° 7 



12-8 „ „ „ 47= 



25-6 „ „ „ 47° 2 



I look upon these results as most valuable, for the reason I have 

 given ; and it will be seen that the increase of temperature as the 

 depth increases, is most distinct, though a strict mathematical 

 law may not be apparent, which, indeed, in the present state of 

 science, it would be unreasonable to expect. 



In conclusion I shall merely observe that the long series of 

 Edinburgh observations appear to show that the highest tempera- 

 ture of the earth's crust occurs about the Autumnal Equinox — 

 the lowest, about the Yernal. 



Art. II. — The Improvements effected in Modern Museums in 

 Europe and Australia, by Gerard Krefft,JEsq., F.L. S., C.M.Z.S., 

 8fc.,8fc.., Curator and Secretary of the Australian Museum. 

 (Read before the Society, 5th August, 1868.) 



The interest which all classes take in Natural History, has 

 gradually changed the old fashioned curiosity shops of fifty years 

 ago, into useful Museums — where rational amusement, combined 

 with instruction, is offered to the mass of the people, and where 

 students have every opportunity to examine and study the speci- 

 mens, of which the Museum consists. With the British Museum 

 for a model — we had, at first, adopted almost everything that is 

 good and bad in that great Institution, till experience showed 

 plainly that there was much room for improvement, and, this it 

 appears has also been felt by Dr. J. E. Grray. In a pamphlet 

 sent to me by last mail, the Principal Keeper has suggested to 

 the British Museum Trustees, certain alterations which I have 

 advocated for years, and which, as far as it was possible, have 

 long been adopted in our own Museum. 



The arrangement of the specimens has been already carried 

 out on the same plan, now proposed by Dr. Grray, and given satis- 

 faction to the general visitors, as well as to the student. 



