E.—7

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in the collection. Many are not exhibited ; they are stored for work in the future, such as Mr. D. Miller is at present doing, in working out our native flies. Others arc useful for exchange with workers or museums in other quarters of the globe ; but all are most welcome. (b.) Foreign Zoology. There are only 21 entries, which include specimens IV Harvard University received in exchange tor a set of : common Echinoderme. Mr. <i. M. Thomson gave a set of Australian crabs, and I have received the eggs of a few introduced birds. (c.) Palaontology, Botany, <(•<■. -In these departments there are (inly L 9 entries —viz.. some fossil Cephalopoda purchased tor use by the students, wax models of the fruits and flowers of certain Carboniferous plants, a few minerals, and a number of fossils. (d.) Ethnology, &c. — The five entries in the register comprise a North Queensland painted shield, an old flint-lock pistol, a Japanese zither (presented by Miss Busck). Canadian mocassins (presented by Mrs. Sale), and dies of seals struck in commemoration of Sir Walter Raleigh (presented by Mr. Theorain). Among articles deposited 1 may mention a line head and horns of a koodoo (loaned by Mr. F. W. Knight) and a curious Norwegian fiddle in box (by Miss Busck). a kava bowl from Fiji, and bows and arrows from the Solomon Islands. Remounts, He pairs, &c. In addition to the work of setting up new specimens, a good deal of work is thrown on the taxidermist by the need of constantly overhauling the collections. Alcohol evaporates, and must be replaced from time to time ; skeletons are apt to be damaged, and must be repaired ; the cases have to be examined and cleaned ; while the addition of a new specimen entails perhaps the rearrangement of an entire case. The insect-o&binets must be looked over and new oapthaline added. These things arc part of the routine work of the taxidermist, and the work has been carried out with every care for the preservation of the specimens. General. An increasing demand on the bime of the Curator by people asking for the identification of specimens or for inforniati I one kind and a not her relating to natural history indicates a growing interest in the subject, and 1 believe thai this is not entirely unconnected with the fact that the Museum is used as a means of education by a number of teachers, both in town and country. The .Museum has. as usual, lieeu open daily (Sundays included) throughout the year, with the exception of Christmas Day, Good Friday, and Labour Day. It is not only the, children that visit us ; ihe grown-ups an , quite as numerous, if indeed they do not outnumber the youngsters. For this the, University deserves more credit than the community seems to give it. The Museum is essentially a University institution, whose funds available for the upkeep and improvement are very slender. It is nevertheless freely open to the public, from which it receives no grant or subsidy. l.ism/ Donors of New Zealand Specimens, J have sent formal acknowledgment and I hanks to t he t liirty donors of specimens of nat lira] history, and I take this opportunity of once more stating that such specimens are always welcome : — .Miss Adams. < Mokia wetas. E. .J. Bell, Shag Point - marine spiders and nests. Captain Hollons ((!.s. " Binemoa ") large shells from the Three Kinjjs. 11. Browne, Wanganui—various insects, spiders, peripatus, mudfish, &c. F. K. Buckland, Akaroa Ichneumon Hies. E. Burn. Waipahi—various insects, spiders, ~ Miss Chalmers —earthworm. \V. K. Chambers —worms, shells, &c, from Campbell Island. Professor Chilton, Christchurch —marine worms. Miss Christie, Outram —wetas and fossil fern leaves. Miss Dodd, Mosgiel Ichneumon fly. J. Findlay, Hampden stick insect. Fish Hatchery Board, Portobeflo larvae of flounders, of octopus, various fish, and Annelids. Dr. F. Fitchett, Dunedin—beetle in laurel. Dr. Fulton —nest of tui. A. Hamilton, Director, Dominion Museum—moths, in exchange. G. Howes, F.E.S., Wellington—moths. W. Hubbard —vegetable caterpillar. G. V. Hudson, F.E.S., Wellington—beetles, flies, and moths from the Auckland Islands. James Jeffrey, Anderson's Bay larva of lamprey, shells, several insects, spiders, &<■. J. Matthieson, Middlemarch wetas, D. Miller, Duuedin —ilies and other insects. Miss J, Miller, Canvastown —insects, fossils. &c. J. Nelson, Pukeuri—trap-door spider and nest. E. Reynolds, Dunedin—caterpillar of moth. Professor Sale—birds' eggs. W. W. Smith, New Plymouth earthworms. 8. G. Stanton, Dunedin- beetles from the North Island. H. Suter, Auckland—shells, earthworms, Annelids. Ac. H. Travers, Wellington— Oupcripatus.