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which is probably the best ever got together, and embraces 
examples of nearly all the tribes found in the Venezuelan 
Republic. 
The economical portion of the collection was of great 
interest and value, chiefly from its extent and the care 
which had been exercised in its collection and transportation, 
and the valuable notes of Dr. Ernst of Caracas, which 
accompany it, rendered it still more valuable. Specimens 
of the vegetable and mineral productions of Venezuela were 
to be seen in great number and variety. 
Among the plants exhibited was a small collection of 
Characeos named by Dr. Ernst, but the chief interest was 
in a small collection of plants gathered by Mr. Spence on 
the summit of Mount Naiguati. 
This mountain, whose altitude is nearly 9,500 feet, is the 
highest in Venezuela, and was regarded as almost inacces- 
sible until Mr. Spence and five companions made a successful 
ascent in April, 1872. A species of grass allied to the bam- 
boos and new to science was one of the results of this 
ascent. 
The exhibition also included an assortment of interesting 
curiosities of native manufacture, recent and ancient. There 
were goblets, drinking cups, and flasks more or less finely 
carved out of cocoa nuts, some mounted in silver; and a 
series of delicately worked cups and bowls of calabash. 
From the State of Trugillo Mr. Spence has brought three 
curiously shaped vessels obtained from Peruvian burial 
places. 
The collection remained open to the public for some days, 
and was visited by a large number of persons. 
January 27th, 1873. 
Professor W C. Williamson, F.R.S., President of the 
Section, in the Chair. 
“ Description of Minerals and Ores from Venezuela/ by 
John Plant, F.G.S. 
