PREFACE. 
Tur Colonial Museum, established in connection with 
the New Zealand Geological Survey, in September, 
1865, was first opened to the public in December of 
the same year. The object for which it was formed is 
best explained by quoting the following passage from 
my first Report to the Government egncerning it, 
dated September 11, 1866 :— 
‘One of the most important duties in connection 
with the geological survey of a new country is the 
formation of a scientific Museum, the principal object 
of which is to facilitate the classification and compari- 
son of the specimens collected in different localities 
during the progress of the survey. 
“ By this means only is a reliable basis obtained 
for a general system of geological nomenclature, the 
value, proof, and application of which to the develop- 
ment of the country depends mainly upon the preser- 
vation of minutely recorded information respecting 
the history of individual specimens. 
“Tn this respect a scientific Museum differs from 
one intended only for the popular diffusion of natural 
science—the former being a record office from which 
typical or popular Museums can be supplied with 
accurate information instructively arranged — an 
