6 
The Index or Type Museum. 
The most important alteration in this department was the recon¬ 
struction of the table case 39-54, in which is arranged the economic 
series of Insects and Fungi. This necessitated the temporary 
removal of the exhibited and the stored material from these cabinets. 
The increased width, the lowering of the table case from 4 feet to 3 
feet 6 inches, and the lowering of the centre case, so as to rest on 
the mid-rail of the table case, bring the whole of the exhibits to a 
more convenient height—an improvement which, in time, will be 
extended to the other table cases. 
The cases along the south wall, 55-62, containing the models of 
plants, have been re-arranged ; while the false back on the lower half 
of the case was removed, and glass shelves fitted in. This became 
necessary on the addition of 24 new models. There are now 144 
models, representing 83 species of plants Descriptive labels are 
wanted to give value to this beautiful series. The Committee offers 
its best thanks to the Lords of the Education Department for aid in 
the purchase of the last series, relieving them of half the cost. 
A temporary exhibit has been placed in the window case, con¬ 
sisting of a series of British Marine Animals (mostly invertebrates), 
from the Millport Marine Station, presented by James Coats, 
Jun., Esq., Paisley. 
Other additions to the index collections are both numerous and 
valuable. Towards the cost of procuring the Giraffe, Polar Bear, 
Porcupine and Sea Leopard, grants were received from the Education 
Department. The Committee fully appreciate this tangible proof of 
the Department’s interest in the Museum. 
The fine collection of African rocks and minerals received from 
-Messrs. J. M. Calderwood, M.E., and C. W. Masterson, C.E., 
collected by them in the region of the Pretoria Goldfields, is on 
exhibition in case No. 87. Many of the specimens are particularly 
good, the series of Banket gold-bearing rocks taken from various 
levels in the Whitwatersrand reefs being most instructive, as well as 
the crushed minerals in the process of gold extraction. It is most 
gratifying to find Perth men abroad remembering the institutions of 
their native city. 
A most excellent cast of the fossil reptile Ichthyosaurus multiscussus 
has been acquired for the Museum. The example is framed and 
glazed, and will shortly be placed over the reptile case. 
JAMES CUTHBERT, 
Chairman of Committee. 
ALEX. M. RODGER, 
Curator. 
