THE COUNCIL. 
3 
classes, from the shores of the South of England. The Col¬ 
lection of British Birds has been arranged and named upon 
a plan which allows of the work being gradually completed : 
but this was found impracticable with respect to Foreign 
Birds, (now exceeding one thousand in number,) until they 
should be all completely mounted. The cost of this process 
for several hundred birds was too great for the Council 
hastily to incur : the work is however proceeding, and it will 
be for the next Council to ascertain how far the statement 
of finances, hereafter appended, will justify a more vigorous 
prosecution of it. It is proposed to make an alteration in 
this room, by removing the insects to a cabinet of drawers: 
thus providing additional space for the complete classification 
of a larger series of Foreign and British Shells. 
The arrangement of the Botanical Collections has been 
suspended in consequence of the want of a suitable receptacle 
for them ; this deficiency may perhaps be supplied. 
The state of the Garden has been frequently brought under 
the consideration of the Council; and a large quantity of 
soil and peat has been added to particular parts; a con¬ 
siderable improvement has been effected near the multangular 
tower, by an alteration of the line of the boundary wall, and 
permission has been given for the erection of a Conservatory 
by the Sub-Curator. 
The Instruments in the Observatory have been in continual 
use; and some improvements have been effected in the arrange¬ 
ment and employment of them ; an interesting addition has 
been made in the curious equatorial of Mr. Abraham Sharpe, 
which has been presented by Mr. Newman. The expenses 
of this useful establishment have been hitherto defrayed by 
the gentlemen who give their time and skill to the task of 
observation ; the debt left on the erection of the building has 
