10 
REPO-RT OF THE 
often observed between both the extinct and the livinsr creations of 
America and Europe. Taken in connexion with prior contributions 
from the same regions, by Mr. Wortley, Mr. Stapylton, and the 
Rev. C. V. Harcourt, with the Norwegian Specimens gathered by 
Mr. Bilton and Mr. Hatfeild, the student will find in the Yorkshire 
Museum the means of investigating some of the most general 
questions at present under discussion, regarding the nature and 
distiibution of the most ancient forms of animal life. 
For the same purpose, the large series of Fishes from the Old 
Red Sandstone of Morayshire, presented by Mr. Stephenson, may be 
consulted with advantage. Placed only one step higher in the scale 
of stratification, only one Geological period later, this group of 
extinct fishes,—Pterichthys, Coccosteus, Cheirolepis, &c.,—has no 
representative in the older Silurian, nor yet in the more recent 
Carboniferous rocks; nor, except by distant and faint analogies with 
existing fishes, can their obscure and mysterious structures be 
reduced to modern laws of organization, explained by the knowledge 
acquired through the study of existing animals. 
Mr. Weaver has conferred on the Society an additional obligation, 
by extending the series of specimens from the Tortworth district, so 
as to make it include the Liassic and Oolitic Strata, as far upward as 
the Portland Stone. The New Cases just completed will permit an 
improvement in the exhibition of the Minerals, which has been long 
desirable, and of expanding to double its present extent the collection 
of recent Invertebrata. 
The Collection of Vertebrated Animals has likewise been enriched 
by some valuable donations; amongst which may be enumerated 
collections of the Skins of Birds, from North America by Mr. 
Hatfeild, from Australia by Mr. James Backhouse, and from South 
America by the Rev. W. V. Harcourt. 
The Collections of Comparative Osteology have been entirely re¬ 
arranged ; the Ornithological Specimens have been placed in the 
Gallery of the Zoological Room, where they are better displayed 
and rendered more available to the student, than in the room they 
previously occupied. The Mammalia and Reptiles have likewise been 
removed from their former locality, and placed in a more commodious 
room, where they are exhibited to greater advantage than heretofore. 
The Council hear with satisfaction that it is the intention of the 
