COUNCIL FOR 1858. 
had the appearance of an ellipse partly cut away, the outer 
portion of the tail being bright, whilst an absence of light was 
generally noticed in the centre of the tail. The tail was 
upwards of 40° in length and at its extremity was diffused 
with a bend towards the North-west. The Astronomer Koyal, 
Professor Challis and Mr. Gray observed on the inner disc of 
the nucleus, and a little to the left of it, a dark, well defined 
spot; and it appeared to Mr. Gray that a similar spot existed 
on the outer disk. It was probably this appearance which gave 
rise to the opinion that the comet was attended by a satellite ; 
and led some observers to announce that the comet presented 
the appearance of a division, similar to that which took place 
in Biela’s comet in 1846. Neither of these speculations had 
any foundation, and no theory has been proposed which ac¬ 
counts for this singular appearance. 
The Curator of Entomology reports, that the insects in the 
cabinets are in good condition, but that no additions of im¬ 
portance have been made to the collection during the past year. 
He suggests that the type-specimens of the different genera 
should be exhibited in table cases, and that those which are 
reserved for the cabinets should be re-arrauged according to the 
present state of science ; and he hopes that by the assistance 
of the Keeper of the Museum, considerable improvement may 
be made during the present year. 
The collection of Minerals also has received no addition 
during the past year. At the request of the Council Mr. 
Procter will add the Curatorship of Geology to that of Min¬ 
eralogy which he has hitherto held. 
In the department of Antiquities there is nothing to be 
noted, except that the blocked up arches of St. Leonard’s 
Hospital, towards the Multangular Tower, have been opened 
and strengthened, and the two forced entrances, made when it 
was occupied as a wine cellar, have been closed. By these 
changes the original arrangement of the building has been 
rendered more evident, and the appearance of the ruins im¬ 
proved. At the request of the British Museum, specimens of 
tiles, with the stamp of the 8th and 9th legion, have been 
furnished to the national collection of Roman Antiquities. 
