REPORT. 
11 
In the course of four years, there have been accumulated in 
this provincial collection, nine thousand one hundred 
and eighty-three specimens in the departments of Geology 
and Mineralogy alone, of which eight thousand two hun¬ 
dred and two have been donations. A Museum thus sup¬ 
ported cannot fail to rise into importance; and this kind of 
support an institution may usually expect, which shows 
itself careful in preserving the objects of science entrusted to 
its keeping, and capable of turning them to account. 
The condition, which those who contribute such objects 
to a public institution arc entitled to demand, is, that they 
shall be made more instructive than they could have been in 
private hands; a condition too often very little attended to, 
or, from a want of regular arrangement, very imperfectly 
fulfilled. It has always been kept in view by this Society; 
and the order which has been, from the first, observed in 
entering donations on the inventories of the Museum, and 
classing them on its shelves, has saved it from the embarrass¬ 
ment of an useless heap of undistinguished specimens. The 
Council have the satisfaction of adding, that the appointment 
made in the beginning of the year, which secured to the 
Institution the valuable services of Mr. Phillips, has enabled 
them to realize still more completely their wishes in this 
respect, and to render the Society’s collection much more 
accessible and instructive. 
But though, where a spirit of liberal contribution exists, a 
Society, which has obtained the confidence of the public, may 
b 2 
