It was further shown in the evidence that, even under the arrangements of 1836, the facilities of public access equalled those given at the most liberal of the Continental Museums, and considerably exceeded those which obtained at fully four-fifths of their number. Among the many services rendered to the Museum by Dr. GRAY, one is of too important a character to be passed over, even in a notice so brief as this must needs be. [Sidenote: THE HARDWICKE BEQUEST OF ZOOLOGY.] The large bequest in Zoology of Major-General HARDWICKE grew out of a stipulation made by Dr. GRAY, when he undertook, at General HARDWICKE’S request, the editorship of the _Illustrations of Indian Zoology_. A long labour brought to the editor no pecuniary return, but it brought an important collection to the British Public in the first instance, and eventually a large augmentation of what had been originally given. [Sidenote: GROWTH OF THE NATURAL HISTORY COLLECTIONS OF THE MUSEUM. 1836–49.] In March, 1849, the course of inquiries pursued by Lord ELLESMERE’S Commission led to a new review of the growth of the Natural-History Collections, and more especially of the Zoology. It applied in particular to the twelve or thirteen years which had then elapsed since the prior inquiries of 1835–1836. The statement possesses much interest, but it is occasionally deficient in that systematic and necessary distinction between species and specimens which characterised the evidence of 1836. In brief, however, it may be said, that in the eight years extending between June, 1840, and June, 1848, twenty-nine thousand five hundred and ninety-five _specimens_ of vertebrated animals were added to the Museum galleries and storehouses. Of these, five thousand seven hundred and ninety-seven were mammals; thirteen thousand four hundred and fourteen were birds; four thousand one hundred and twelve reptiles; and six thousand two hundred and seventy-two were fish. The number of specimens of annulose animals added during the same period was seventy-three thousand five hundred and sixty-three: and that of mollusca and radiata, fifty-seven thousand six hundred and ten. These large additions comprised extensive gatherings made by DYSON in Venezuela, and in various parts of North America; by GARDINER and CLAUSEN in Brazil; by GOSSE in Jamaica; by GOULD, GILBERT, and STEPHENSON, in Australia and in New Zealand; by HARTWEG in Mexico; by GOUDOT in Columbia; by VERREAUX and SMITH in South Africa; by FRAZER in Tunis; and by BRIDGES in Chili and in some other parts of South America. Of the splendid collections made by Mr. HODGSON in India, some more detailed mention must be made hereafter. [Sidenote: CHECK IN THE GROWTH OF NATURAL-HISTORY COLLECTIONS ON THE CONTINENT, 1845–1855.]