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as an instrument of public instruction, and the Keeper looks forward to carrying out both plans more extensively when the increased space at his disposal will enable him to do so with advantage.
Besides the collection thus contained in the Museum proper, and open to the public under the restrictions to be presently mentioned, there is a large miscellaneous collection, contained in a suite of supernumerary rooms at the East side of the College quadrangle. The want of space has thus necessitated the exclusion of this collection from the general one.
It consists chiefly of a series of Fishes and Reptiles preserved in spirits, an extensive collection of Mammal Skeletons, and a very valuable series of Sub-Himalayan Fossils, presented by Dr. Falconer and Col. Colvin.
The situation of the rooms, and the crowded condition of the objects render it necessary to close this collection to the general public; but to bona fide Students, desirous of examining any of the specimens, every facility of access is always granted.
In store rooms under the University Library, a great number of additional objects have been accumulated, but no attempt has been made to display them, and they are much safer by being allowed to remain undisturbed in their present cases, until such time as additional space may be afforded for their proper exposition.
Attached to the Museum there is also a small Library, consisting of such Works on Natural History as are needful for Museum purposes; together with a collection of Natural History Diagrams.
The Museum was originally established in immediate connexion with the Natural History Chair of the University, and the Regius Keeper of the Museum also held the appointment of Regius Professor of Natural History in the University. These relations have been all along maintained, and continue undisturbed under the recent arrangements by which the Museum has been transferred from the University to the Government, under whose immediate control it is now placed.
The Regius Professor of Natural History delivers Lectures on Natural History to the Students of the University, and to such of the general public as may desire to join his class. These Lectures are delivered in a class room connected with the Museum, and embrace Zoology, Geology, and other branches of the Natural History Sciences and are illustrated by the contents of the Museum and by diagrams.
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The following officials are at present attached to the Museum:--
Regius Keeper - Professor Allman.
Assistant Conservator - Mr. J. B. Davies.
And three Museum Attendants.
REGULATIONS REGARDING ADMITTANCE.
On the transference of the Museum to the Department of Science and Art certain changes were introduced by Government into the terms of admission, with the view of rendering the collection more available than it had hitherto been for purposes of public instruction. Instead of being as formerly open to the public only on an admission fee of One Shilling, it was now resolved that the charge for admission should be reduced to Sixpence, and that one day in the week should be absolutely free.
These regulations came into operation on the 8th of October, 1855, and no more convincing proof of their efficient working could be adduced than the fact that, between that date and the 31st of December 1857, no less than 242,422 persons visited the Collection.
To members of the Natural History Class of the University the privilege hitherto acceded to them, of entering the Museum at all times free of charge, was continued, and the same privilege was now extended to Students of Natural Science in the Free Church College. It is not necessary, however, for the Student to be connected with either of the above bodies to obtain facility of access to the Museum, for every bona fide Student of Natural History may obtain, on application to the Regius Keeper, a special ticket, which will admit the holder free to the Museum, for purposes of study.
The general Students of the University of Edinburgh are admitted free as formerly, on one close day in each month on presenting their matriculation tickets, and this privilege has been also extended under the new regulations to the general Students of the Free Church College, and to those of the United Presbyterian College.
Besides the above special cases of admission, members of the Town Council and Professors in the University have at all times free access to the Museum, with the power of introducing members of their families.
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