8 
REPORT OF THE 
illegible, and such other changes will be introduced as are 
required by the present state of scientific nomenclature. 
Mr. Clark, of Cincinnati, whose name has so often appeared 
as a donor to the Society’s collections, has this year again con¬ 
tributed some beautiful land and fresh-water shells from the 
district in which he resides : from T. W. Warren, Esq., of 
Dublin, have been received some rare and choice British shells ; 
and from H. Peckitt, Esq., a fine pair of the gigantic clam 
shells (Tridacna gigas), placed in front of the Sub-Cm'ator’s 
house. Other donations to this department will be found 
enumerated in the catalogue annexed to the Beport. 
The Misses Cheap have presented a valuable collection, con¬ 
sisting principally of the skulls of the larger carnivora and 
horns of various species of buffalo, deer, &c.; and also a small 
gavial, or Gangetic crocodile, which is distinguished from all 
its living congeners by the great elongation of its jaws, and 
the coalescence of the halves of the lower jaw, throughout 
nearly their entire length. In this peculiarity the gavial 
agrees with the earliest known fossil crocodiles, those of the 
lias of Whitby and the oolite of Malton; while the other 
forms of living crocodiles are not found in any strata, older 
than the tertiary. It is thus the only link which connects the 
forms of ancient periods with those of the present day, and as 
such will be regarded with peculiar interest. 
The collection of insects and Crustacea has been increased 
by the donation of some American and Chinese insects from 
Mr. H. Watson, and a box of foreign insects, including some 
very singular and rare forms, from Mr. W. Cooper, of York. 
As the Society’s collections, in this branch of natural history, 
are of necessity not exposed to public view, the Curator thinks 
it desirable that the members should be reminded that thev are 
•/ 
valuable and extensive, and that they may, at any time, be 
inspected, on application to himself, or the Keeper of the 
Museum. 
Several valuable additions have been made to the Anti¬ 
quarian Department of the Museum during the past year. 
Lord Londesborough has presented to the Society a large 
portion of a hoard of Roman coins, discovered in January, 
