Museum.

Transactions and Proceedings of the Royal Society of New Zealand, Volume 15, 1882, Page 514

Museum. The number of names entered in the Visitors' Book during the year is 19,000 (week-days, 10,000; Sundays, 9,000) but, as mentioned in previous reports, this gives no adequate idea of the number of persons visiting the institution, as comparatively few care to sign the register. The usual average daily attendance is about fifty on week-days, and 150 on Sundays. Natural History Collections. The additions to this section have been somewhat extensive; but the excessively crowded state of the Museum Department renders the exhibition of recent acquisitions quite impossible, until further accommodation is provided.

Mammalia.—Amongst the animals recently added to the collection, and specially worthy of notice are: (1) two skins of the Tasmanian devil (Diabolus ursinus), presented by Mr. J. B. Poynter, of Poverty Bay; per Hon. G. Randall Johnson, M.L.C., two hedgehogs (Erinaceus europœus), one sable (Marter sibellina), one ermine (Mustela), one beautiful specimen of the platypus (Platypus anatinus). Pisces.—The most noticeable addition to this department is a collection of 161 specimens, illustrative of the Ichthyology of the Pacific Coast of North America, presented by the United States National Museum. Aves.—The acquisitions in this section, though not very numerous, are nevertheless of a very interesting character. The chief items are: (1) several specimens of Rallus affinis and allied species from Mr. A. Hamilton, of Napier; (2) an Australian roller (Eurystomus australis) shot at Akamotu and presented by Mr. A. Reid; (3) a fine peacock presented by Mrs. Borlase; (4) a pure albino peacock, by Mr. Harding of Napier; (5) a magnificent specimen of the bird of paradise (Paradisca raggiana), by Dr. Bennet of Sydney; (6) two bustards (Otis tarda) by Mr. Banbury of London; (7) twenty-six skins, New Zealand and foreign, purchased by the Director. New Zealand birds have been presented to Dr. Finsch, of Bremen; Mr. Hague, of London; and Dr. Buller, Wellington. A collection of thirty-two eggs was sent to Mr. A. Gillies, of Dunedin, as an exchange. Reptilia.—Only a few New Zealand species have been added to this branch, but a collection of the forms indigenous to this colony has been sent to the Bremen Museum. Invertebrata.—A collection of coloured corals, presented by Mr. H. E. Liardet, and a very fine collection of New Zealand sponges, presented by Mr. J. A. Smith of Napier, are the chief items under this heading. The sponges, however, are very important, as the quality leaves but little doubt that New Zealand may yet be able to produce sponges suitable for the market. Ethnological. Very large collections have been received under this head. Amongst the articles more especially worthy of notice are—(1) two Japanese shrines, 500 years old, from the Temple of Kamakura, presented by Mr. H. S. Tiffen, of Napier; (2) a large collection of weapons, domestic utensils, etc., illustrative of the ethnology of New Guinea and neighbouring islands, received in exchange from Mr. H. H. Romilly, Deputy Commissioner of the Pacific; (3) casts of Maori implements, in exchange from the Canterbury Museum; (4) a cast of the celebrated Rorotangi, the figure of a bird carved

in serpentine, reported to have been brought by the Maoris to New Zealand from Hawaiki, presented by Major Wilson; (5) two Maori carved walking-sticks, purchased; (6) twenty samples of pottery from South Sea Islands, presented by His Excellency Sir Arthur Gordon; (7) Hindoo holy writings, deposited by Miss Woodward. Miscellaneous. Amongst the miscellaneous articles lately received are—(1) silver seal of the Colony of New Zealand, defaced by Her Majesty in Council, presented by the Hon. the Colonial Secretary; (2) seal of the Province of Wellington, presented by the Government Storekeeper; (3) collection of timbers, economic vegetable substances, and casts of twelve famous nuggets, etc., in exchange from the Technological Museum, Melbourne; (4) specimens of quartz from Te Aroha, presented by the Hon. the Minister for Mines and Mr. J. C. Firth; (5) eight glass show-cases used at the Crystal Palace Wool Show, presented by the Hon. the Colonial Secretary; (6) map of Wellington in 1841, deposited by the Hon. W. B. D. Mantell; (7) iron pipe made by Mr. P. Birley, of Auckland, deposited by Mr. W. Swanson, M.H.R.; (8) one gold, two silver, and two bronze medals awarded to the colony at the Crystal Palace Wool Exhibition, presented by the Hon. the Colonial Secretary; (9) portrait in oils, known as the “Molesworth Portrait,” deposited by Sir W. Fitzherbert.