H.—2l.

T. Bailey, of Wellington. A series of enlarged photomicrographs of insects was presented by Mr. D. Macready Armstrong ; Mr. Earp, of the Department of Agriculture, presented two excellent charts depicting the life-history of the honey-bee ; and the Department of Agriculture supplied a number of specimens relating to the bee, which were formed into an exhibit for circulation around the New Zealand museums under the Carnegie Exchange Scheme. Exchanges have been completed during the year with the Canterbury Museum for 101 specimens of New Zealand moths not represented in our collections, and with Mr. W. 0. Steel, of London, for fifty English beetles. A large number of miscellaneous specimens have been acquired in the course of identifications made for the general public, business firms, &c. This service of the Department is being increasingly demanded. During the year several studebts, including some notable visitors from abroad, have visited the reference collections. Botanical Department. The major activities of the year have been the acquisition and preparation of exhibits for show in the new buildings, and the rearrangement of all the Museum herbaria consequent upon the transfer to new quarters. In the last quarter of the year it has been possible to proceed again with the routine work of investigation, mounting, and arrangement of the large quantity of stored material in the Petrie, Kirk, and Cockayne herbaria preparatory to incorporating it in the Museum Herbarium. Gifts of timber specimens and of a donation given specially for this purpose made it possible to build up an exhibit of forty species of native and exotic timbers, practically all of which were dressed and polished in the Museum. An innovation has been made by the maintenance in the exhibition hall of a changing series of live botanical specimens and growing plants, many of which were propagated in the Department for this purpose. Additions to the collections include extensive series from California forwarded as an exchange from the University of California ; plants from Lord Howe and Norfolk Islands, collected and presented by Captain McComish ; also a series of European plants from Dr. Fettweis, Germany, and of xerophytes from the Desert Laboratory, Arizona. Gifts added to the botanical collections include two models of tea-plants from the Ceylon Tea Propaganda Board; enlarged photographs from Mr. W. C. Davies; exhibition timber from the Queensland Forest Service, New Zealand State Forest Service, Billiards Ltd., New Zealand Sawmillers' Federation, Messrs. Latta Bros., and Wm. Cook and Sons, Ltd.; a collection of named algas from Mr. Scarfe ; a cane-sugar exhibit from the Colonial Sugar Refining Co. ; rubber and cotton from the Firestone Tire Co. ; cotton-growing exhibit from the Queensland Agricultural Department; and flax products from Dr. Yeates and Wellington Cordage Co. Exhibits received on loan include a collection of botanical photographs from Mr. W. C. Davies, inlaid shield of New Zealand woods from the Wadestown Beautifying Society, inlaid cabinet and violin made from New Zealand woods from Mr. J. Williamson, a violin case of New Zealand woods from Mr. Grady, an exhibit of New Zealand woods from Mr. 0. A. Everingham, a collection of New Zealand silver-beech-wood products from Wood Products, Ltd. Since last March Mr. T. Healey has spent a good deal of time in the herbarium assisting with the work of classifying the specimens, and the thanks of the Board are due to him for this work. Geological Department. The work of this Department for the year consisted principally in the arrangement of the displays in the new show-cases. Work on the unpacking and classifying of the extensive mineral collections is being held up pending the arrival of new storage cabinets. A number of notable accessions were received during the year, chief amongst which was a display of New Zealand building stones from Dr. P. Marshall. An extensive collection of calcite and other mineral specimens, many very beautiful indeed, was received from Lady Kinsey. An exhibit depicting iron and steel manufacture came in response to overtures made to the Broken Hill Proprietary, Ltd., of Australia, through Messrs. Gillies and Laird, of Wellington. A number of negatives and slides illustrating the structure of coal were received from Mr. H. W. Lawton. Many samples of rocks and minerals have been received from geologists and collectors all over New Zealand. Inquiries from the public appear to be increasing and show that more interest is being taken in the Geological Section of the Museum. Library. The general collection of books is contained in the main library in the new building which has been furnished with seven double stacks as well as shelving on three walls. During the past year the periodicals have been received regularly, and new exchange relations have been established with several overseas museums. Most of the periodicals received are in exchange for the New Zealand Journal of Science and Technology, which is issued and despatched monthly. A few books have been purchased, and thanks are due to the following donors for books presented to the library : British Museum, American Museum of Natural History, Carnegie Corporation of New York, Lord Kilbracker, Mr. T. Lindsay Buick, Miss C. Godley, Mr. H. W. Lawton, and Dr. W. B. B. Oliver. Photographic Department. The Photographic Department is now housed in suitable quarters. Since settling into the new building attention has been paid to the equipment of the studio and dark-rooms, and several pieces of essential apparatus and fittings have been added. When this work is completed the studio and darkrooms will be excellently equipped and able to cope adequately with the requirements of the Museum.

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