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JOURNAL, R.A.S. (CEYLON). [VOL. XIX, 



thorium-bearing mineral to be found in any British possession. 

 At the same time the geological and mineralogical collection at the 

 Museum, originally very scanty, has been very largely added 

 to, re-organized, and re-arranged by Dr. Coomaraswamy and 

 Mr. J. Parsons in a separate room known as the Mineral Gallery. 

 Dr. Coomaraswamy is of opinion that the time has not yet come 

 for the establishment of a regular Geological Survey in the Island ; 

 but he has recommended the employment of one permanent 

 Government Mineralogist. 



In connection with recent improvements effected in the Museum, 

 there should be mentioned the valuable students' collections of 

 Lepidoptera, Land Mollusca, Reptiles, &c, as these are frequently 

 consulted by interested visitors. Several gentlemen have kindly 

 given Dr. Willey their assistance and experience in the arrange- 

 ment of special groups, among whom should be mentioned Messrs. 

 E. E. Green, F. M. Mackwood, and O. S. Wickwar. These col- 

 lections are housed in the new building which was put up in 1903, 

 and which has proved a very great benefit. 



In connection with Zoology (and the prospect some day of a 

 Zoological Garden for Colombo), Dr. Willey has been doing a public 

 service in endeavouring to show some of the animals of Ceylon 

 in the flesh by way of supplementing the stuffed specimens in the 

 galleries. We may readily judge that without special provision 

 it is not easy to exhibit live animals with permanent satisfaction, 

 although the comparatively few exhibited have attracted very 

 considerable attention, to judge by the number of persons of all 

 races and classes who are found gazing at them almost daily. 

 No doubt a small fee for admission in aid of the expense of upkeep , 

 &c, would readily be paid, if the collection were so enclosed as to 

 make this desirable. But unless the Government take the matter 

 up, or a special Society is formed to provide a Zoological Garden 

 collection, I fear there is not much further room for development. 

 The exhibition of live birds does not present so many difficulties 

 as in the case of four-footed animals, and I am glad to announce 

 that a handsome aviary has recently been presented to the 

 Museum by Mr. T. Sanmugam, in which some of the smaller birds 

 can be located from time to time. 



The Quarterly Journal — Spolia Zeylanica — established by 

 Dr. Willey, sanctioned and printed by Government, has been 

 regularly continued. It deals specially with subjects relating to 

 the Natural History and Ethnography of the Island, and its object 

 is to accumulate notes and records of the rapidly changing aspects 

 of life of all kinds in Ceylon. Twelve parts, completing three 

 volumes, have appeared (Part XII. is now passing through the 

 press), and when the fifth volume is completed an index will be 

 provided. Whether or not this periodical is fully answering its 

 purpose cannot well be decided for the present. Its usefulness 

 from a scientific point of view is undoubted. Dr. Willey thinks 

 it might eventually be taken over by our Society and a fund 

 started for its continuance. In that connection a suggestion, 

 which comes to me from a prominent Member of the Society, may 

 be mentioned, namely, that it would make Spolia Zeylanica far 



