LECTURES IN NATURAL HISTORY 83 
which enhanced its value. Every addition (not a 
few by MacGillivray himself) was at once put into 
the most perfect state of preservation, and was 
fitted into scientific order. Nothing was ever 
left in disorder, and constant cleaning was rigidly 
carried out. 
From a minute of the College, dated 31st March 
1834, it appears that MacGillivray had then begun 
to give lectures on natural history, and he obtained 
special permission from the College to absent 
himself on Saturdays, “to admit of his giving these 
lectures and to have scientific excursions with his 
pupils.” 
There is an interesting and amusing paragraph 
in a minute of the College of 2nd August 1834, in 
which it is stated that the Curators in their report 
to the College “ agree to a sentiment expressed by 
the Conservator, that it has been noticed to him 
that low and vulgar persons can derive no benefit 
from visiting the Museum, but that it was obvious 
to him that such a collection is calculated to remove 
many of their prejudices, and that without informa¬ 
tion all men would be loiv enough. Besides,” he 
added, “such persons are the least disposed to 
handle anything.” 
In a minute of 3rd August 1835 it is stated that 
the Curators reported that the catalogue was now 
completed, and that all the preparations then stood 
in the order of it, and it is added :— 
“This work, so creditable to the College and so 
