778 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVlll. 
Tiger skins loaned to the Society by the latter gentleman. These 
formed an extremely striking- exhibit on the walls of the gallery. The 
labelling of the exhibits was a matter that demanded particular atten- 
tion. Experience has shown that the ordinary type of label is very 
apt to rapidly deteriorate under local climatic conditions, and a satisfactory 
expedient was found in having all the large printed ones framed under 
glass pari passu. 
In the Bird Gallery (which \ad been temporarily housed in the Gallery 
marked (/3) in the general scheme)- perhaps the most interesting exhibition 
besides the splendid display of s&ns and paintings of Indian Game 
Birds was the portion allotted to Egrets in the little gallery at the end of 
the alcove. Through the kindness of the Connsissioner in Sind, specimens 
of these birds procured from the farms, together with samples of plumes and 
photographs of the birds in various stages of development, were shown. 
The method of exhibiting specimens by means of plaster casts whereby 
a number of Mr. Prater’s beautiful life-like casts of the commoner Indian 
snakes were shown, att'-acted considerable attention. 
The Natural History Section was open to the public for a week during 
the time of the Prince’s visit. Sir Perry Eobinson, Special Correspondent 
of The Times, was one of many who spent an afternoon in the Natural 
History Section. He wrote a very appreciative article on his visit 
The expenses incurred in connection with the transfer of collections, 
iucliuiing the cost of tables hired and purchased, amounted to Rs. 10,068. 
The impression gathered by the visitor in many Museums is one of 
mustiness and decay. This has rather the efl'e^ of detracting much from 
the utility of these institutions, and turns them into caverns of mouldy 
antiquities. Every effort, therefore, was made in the present instance to 
avoid the above effect. Our object being to interest as well as to instruct. 
Early in January His Excellency the Governor and Lady Lloyd paid 
a private visit to the Natural History Section. Their Excellencies were 
met by the Managing Committee of the Society and conducted over the 
Section by Mr. R. A. Spence and Mr. Prater. The writer was unable to bo 
present on the occasion being in Nepal at the time. Their Excellencies 
expressed themselves very favourably as to the arrangement of the section. 
His Excellency showed a great interest in its future and very kindly pro- 
mised his assistance in furthering the plans put forward by the Honorary 
Secretary, which were chiefly concerned with the question of funds and 
the ways and means of their acquirements. 
The great drawback affecting the running of Museums and kindred 
institutions in ludia as elsewhere seems to be a cramping lack of funds. 
The writer is of opinion that disadvantageous as it may seem to the aims of 
a public institution such as a Museum, a small charge to visitors on every 
day of the week, except perhaps one, would go far towards remedying this 
deplorable condition. 
The exhibition hitherto arranged was purely of a temporary character 
and the specimens arranged on tables, etc., could not possibly continue in 
their present condition without the risk of infinite harm. Unless properly 
pr<Jtected under airtight cases they become an easy prey to the attacks 
of Dermestes and mites. It was decided, therefore, to disband the present 
exhibition until suitable show cases had been provided for the housing of 
the collections. Arrangements were speedily concluded with Messrs. Chung 
Sang & Co. of Calcutta who had already erected cases for the Art 
and Archfeological Sections and who had had considerably previous ex- 
perience in the construction of cases for Museums. Designs for their 
arrangement were prepared and approved of. One cannot but comment 
on the valuable assistance rendered by Mr. Prater who during the 
