COUNCIL FOR 1880 . 
15 
CoNCHOLOGY. — British Shells, — A. considerable amount of 
attention has been given to the land and freshwater shells. 
All inferior specimens, and almost all specimens to which no 
locality was attached, have been replaced by finer examples, 
obtained, whenever possible, from the neighbourhood of York. 
This part, of the collection is now to a large extent local, and 
is fairly worthy of what is, perhaps, the best district for fresh¬ 
water shells in the United Kingdom. The most interesting 
additions are Sphaerkim ovale, from the Foss, Planorhis dilatatus 
from Manchester, and a gigantic example of Anodonta eygnea 
from Fairfield. 
The Marine Shells have, to a smaller extent, been treated 
in the same way as the land and freshwater. A considerable 
number of unlocalized specimens have given way to specimens 
from the Yorkshire Coast, the rich beach of Kedcar supplying 
the greater number. The Feed Collection was, however, 
nearly complete, and the specimens as a rule are very fine. The 
genus Pecten will be found to contain a number of gems, which 
have only lately been exhibited in the case. 
It is to be regretted that the British Shells are exhibited in 
so cramped a space, and at an angle which renders their 
position very dangerous. 
Foreign Shells. — After considerable deliberation, it was 
decided that, in default of sufiicient room, a small but choice 
selection should be made from the foreign shells, and exhibited 
in the upper part of the central case of the skeleton room, until 
suitable space could be gained for arranging the whole collection. 
The Curator, on commencing this work, found the Museum 
in possession of a vast number of foreign shells—truly a “ rudis 
indigesta que moles’’—stowed away in drawers and cabinets. 
Few were named (as the old names were all jumbled together), 
and none, or hardly any, were localised. 
Many of the specimens, however, are of the greatest beauty, 
and of considerable rarity. We are in possession of the making 
of a good collection, when room can be found; although much 
work will be required, as, owing to the way in which the 
collection has been got together, we find perhaps twenty 
specimens of one species, while whole groups are altogether 
