1780 — 85 .]
125
Two years after this letter was written, the So-ciety’s Museum ceased to have a separate existence 1 .That it was of importance appears by the letterreturning thanks for it, on the part of the Trusteesof the British Museum .
“Sir, “British Museum , June 15, 1781.
“I am directed by the Trustees of the BritishMuseum , to acquaint you, for the information of theItoyal Society , that they have received the very amplecollection of natural productions which that Society has lately been pleased to present them with. Youare also requested to embrace the earliest opportunityof returning their thanks to the President, Council,and Fellows of the said Society, for that considerabledonation.
“ I am, &c.
“J. Planta, Sec y .
“ The Secretary Royal Society .”
How hopeless now would be the task of attemptingto find the Society’s Collection amidst the intermi-nable series of rooms composing the British Museum !Even the collection of Sloane, which in reality formedthe nucleus of the national establishment, and whichwas a marvel in its day, is lost amongst the countlessthousands of specimens which crowd the halls of thenew building. It was gratifying, in the course ofresearches on this subject to learn, from ProfessorOwen, that several specimens in comparative anatomyare carefully preserved in the Museum of the RoyalCollege of Surgeons , and duly entered in the cata-
1 It is light to state, that many of the instruments are still inthe possession of the Society.