was at first of a somewhat temporary character, was considerably delayed by the purchase of improved cases for many of the Dorset collections, as a memorial to the late curator, and also by the provision of several new cases for the galleries, paid for by a special fund raised for the purpose. As matters now stand, the division of the Dorset from the non-Dorset collections is complete, the whole of the floor space being devoted to the County; of which we Dorset folk may well be proud, as it is universally admired by strangers.

All the Dorset cases (numbered I. to XXVII.) being now of pitch pine, and for the most part symmetrical in design, and no longer unduly crowded together, the general aspect of this fine building is greatly improved (see illustration). In the galleries the cases are black, and distinguished by letters A-T. These non-Dorset collections are classified, but as they are of a most miscellaneous character, comprising "odds and ends" from many different parts of the world, it is not possible to make a very successful arrangement. They contain objects of much value and interest, which are seen now far better than formerly, but the Council desire to conform as far as possible to the advice of General Pitt Rivers, given at his inaugural address at the formal opening of the Museum, January 1st, 1884, "that all the space and all our efforts should be reserved for collections that emanate from the county, or illustrate its history and industries."

Mr. Moule was accustomed, in his annual reports to the Field Club, to give a fairly complete summary of the acquisitions during the previous year, both to Museum and Library. Such an attempt on my part to-day, having a period of five or six years to deal with, would obviously be most wearisome; but it may be of interest to describe, first, the principal changes that have been effected in the arrangement of the collections, and then to refer briefly to some few of the acquisitions that stand out clearly as important, and as likely to increase the prestige of our County Museum.

First then as regards re-arrangement. Advantage has been taken of the necessary shifting of many objects into new cases,

to bring together those Dorset antiquities of the same period or class which had been previously separated. It has, for example, been found possible to arrange in 24 consecutive shelves, and on the brackets adjoining, all the cinerary urns, and sepulchral pottery from our barrows. The 127 specimens have been re-labelled, and a numerical and descriptive. catalogue printed. The Roman pottery follows, occupying 22 shelves, with space for future additions. In one range of table cases, we now get all the Bronze exhibits, viz. axeheads, daggers, and spear heads, followed by the Bronze torcs, rings, brooches, &c.; in another case the objects of Kimmeridge shale make a collection not easily matched elsewhere; the Roman wall plaster, and the exhibits of glass, have each a division to themselves; the Roman coins have been placed in specially designed trays, and the Dorset trade tokens have been arranged in the same manner. An attempt has been made to bring into one case, a few of the best examples of the various types of flint implements, arranged after the classification of Sir John Evans; for the Museum has, in course of time, become possessed of such a large number of worked flints that the really good specimens were apt to be overlooked.

Of acquisitions to the Museum since 1904, perhaps the most valuable is the Roman mosaic pavement, found in July, 1905, at the lower end of Durngate Street, Dorchester, and now adorning the southern portion of the floor (see illustration), where indeed it looks so natural, and harmonises so well with its surroundings, as to be occasionally unnoticed by visitors. That one, and the mosaic floor previously laid, are perhaps the only Roman tessellated pavements, in a public museum, over which we can walk at pleasure. It has been so carefully described by Dr. Colley March in Vol. XXVII. of our Proceedings that I need say no more about it to-day. In Mr. Moule's last report, May, 1903, he said that the most important addition to our Dorset antiquities that had reached us for a long time was the loan collection from Mr. C. L. Hall, of Osmington. Now, however, I am

happy to state that it is "a loan" no longer; it was purchased by the Council last year. The principal items are the stone mould for casting bronze celts, the leg of a stool made of Kimmeridge shale, three pieces of gold ring money, and a massive bronze neck torc. Another example of Kimmeridge shale manufacture has been given by Rev. R. Grosvenor Bartelot; the material is exceptionally hard, it is of conical shape, and partly hollowed, and is figured in Hutchins' "History of Dorset " and "Papers of the Purbeck Society." In 1906 we purchased a very fine Roman sword handle, or grip," of bone; it was found in Dorchester during building operations, at the usual depth for Roman relics, and not far from a Roman pavement. It was submitted to Dr. C. H. Reed, who thought it sufficiently valuable to make a cast of it for the British Museum. It was also exhibited at a meeting of the Society of Antiquaries, and is figured in their Proceedings, April, 1906. A specimen of the same general design, but inferior in size and appearance, is figured in Archæologia, Vol. XLV., p. 251.

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In connection with the geological side of the Museum, the most important undertaking has been the scientific and critical examination of certain series of fossils by our late Vice-President, Mr. W. H. Hudleston. He devoted many months to the work, re-arranging and re-naming where necessary, replacing inferior specimens with others from his own. collection, and completing a series where gaps occurred. The one acquisition that stands out pre-eminently for notice in this department is the Chelonian skull, presented by Sir J. C. Robinson in 1909, and described and figured at page 143, Vol. XXX. of the Proceedings Dorset Field Club. Dr. Smith Woodward reported it to be of great rarity, and adds that only one other such skull appears to have been met with in the Purbeck Beds of Swanage; the discovery of a second skull is, therefore, of much interest."

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Although I have mentioned only a very few acquisitions to-day, it must be understood that during the five years, nearly every department has been enriched by gifts, or

purchases-geological, and antiquarian, and Dorset curiosities, ancient, mediæval, and modern.

As regards the library, I find that 300 volumes, or more, have been added during the period under review; and though it is difficult to make a selection for special notice, attention may be drawn to the following works:

Fifty-six volumes, chiefly on Archæological subjects, part of the library of the late Mr. Boswell Stone.

A complete set of Somerset and Dorset Notes and Queries.

Nine large volumes, finely illustrated, the official account of the National Antarctic Expedition, 1901-4. The English Dialect Dictionary, 6 volumes.

The Dictionary of National Biography, 22 volumes.

But as it may interest members of the Dorset Field Club, I will give a list of the books either relating to the county of Dorset, or presented by the authors, as being connected with the county

A complete set of the writings of the late Mr. R. Bosworth Smith, and a copy of "The Memoirs," by his daughter, Lady Grogan.

Five volumes by the Earl of Ilchester-viz., " Memoirs of the Whig Party, 1807-21"; "Journal of Elizabeth, Lady Holland," and "Life and Letters of Lady Sarah Lennox."

Four volumes, presented by Mr. Broadley-viz., "Dumouriez and the Defence of England"; "Three Dorset Captains"; and "Napoleon and the Invasion of England."

Highways and Byways in Dorset," by Sir Frederick Treves, Bart.

"Old Stone Crosses of Dorset," by Mr. A. Pope. "In and Around Purbeck," by Mr. Bond, and Miss Woodward.