Sir Joseph 
Banks. 
XXvili INTRODUCTION. 
idea may be formed of their importance, by the 
value set upon them by experienced dealers in 
the different branches, when the House of Com¬ 
mons called for such an estimate, with a view to 
remit the Legacy-tax upon the whole bequest.* 
To this list must be added, the name of the 
Right Hon. Sir Joseph Banks, Bart., K. B., 
who, after his return from his citcumnaviga- 
tion, deposited at different times in the Mu¬ 
seum numerous collections of natural and arti¬ 
ficial curiosities from the newly discovered islands 
in the South Seas, which, with considerable 
additions since made by the Admiralty, Captain 
Cook, and other officers who had performed 
similar distant and perilous voyages, forms now 
a very conspicuous part of the Museum. Among 
the many donations of various kinds which 
Sir 
* This valuation is as follows : 
Fr’mted Books.... . 
Coins and Medals... 
Prints. 
Shells and Minerals. 
Gems... 
Total,..,. 
