8 
REPORT OF THE 
The Honorary Curator notes with much pleasure the increasing 
use made of the Palaeontological Collections by specialists. 
Specimens of our Pliocene Mammals have been sent for 
examination to Mr. E. T. Newton, Mr. A. S. Woodward has 
examined some of our Carboniferous Fishes, Mr. Crick some of 
our Jurassic and Neocomian Belemnites, Mr. Bather some 
Silurian Crinoids, Mr. Grregory our Pliocene Echinoidea, and 
Professor Pavlow (of Moscow) our Yorkshire Neocomian 
Cephalopods. The work thus done on our Collections by 
skilled investigators is of twofold value, for not only is 
Science thereby advanced, but we ourselves benefit by having 
our specimens accurately named by competent authorities. 
Antiquities. —The Curator is happy to be able to report the 
continued extension of the many and varied objects under his 
charge. The number of antiquities obtained from York itself is, 
perhaps, below the average, as the use of concrete has 
practically put an end to deep digging, but the influx of 
curiosities increases rather than otherwise, and the want of 
space will soon become a very serious matter. The Curator is 
just finishing a new edition of the catalogue which will be at 
least one-third larger than its predecessor, and bears strong 
testimony to the rapid growth of the collections in the 
Department. The Curator desires to make special reference to 
a very interesting sculptured slab from Babastis, which has 
been kindly purchased and presented to the Museum by some 
of our York members, and to two fine gold rings of Roman 
work, both of them found in York, which have been given to 
us by Mr. R. Smith of Scarborough. 
Mineralogy. —The chief work in the department of 
Mineralogy during the past year has been the exhibition and 
arrangement of a Rock Collection. It will be remembered 
that a long case, containing shells, used to rest on the top of 
the Mineral Cabinet. A series of rock specimens now replaces 
the shells, and, as the case itself has been fitted with glass 
shelves, more light is also thrown upon the minerals below. 
Ini consequence of this alteration the minerals themselves are 
now much better seen than was formerly the case. 
