authorities of the French Congo, being rather short of money, have issued a decree placing a tax of fifty centimes on every Parrot exported from that colony to Europe."
We are glad to notice the growing recognition of "Zoology" as an applied science. In the 'Pharmaceutical Journal' a course of "Zoological Notes for Pharmacists" is now in course of publication.
On Thursday afternoon, Oct. 6th, 1898, Mr. J. Passmore Edwards laid the first stone of the Essex Local and Educational Museum of Natural History. The Museum, designed by Messrs. Gibson and Russell, will ultimately be a very handsome structure, adjoining, but distinct from, the Technical Institute of the West Ham Corporation in the (Main) Romford Road, Stratford. The cost of the building and ground will be about £6000, towards which Mr. Passmore Edwards munificently contributes £2500, on condition that the Museum shall contain the Essex Field Club's County Collections of Natural History. The balance of the cost, and the up-keep of the building, will be defrayed by the Corporation of West Ham, acting through their Technical Instruction Committee. In accordance with the scheme of the Agreement made between the Corporation of West Ham and the Essex Field Club, dated 25th July, 1898, the Museum will be carried on as a Permanent Institution under that Agreement as follows:—
(a) The Corporation agree to dedicate the main portion of the building to the purposes of a Museum of Local (Essex) Natural History, Prehistoric Archaeology and Anthropology, and of educational series relating to the same; to warm, light, and provide for the caretaking of the building; that the Club shall have the sole scientific control of the collections, and the appointment of the Curator, and be allowed to keep its Library in the building; the Corporation also agreeing to make a grant of not less than £100 per annum towards the curatorial expenses.
(b) The Club agree to place their county collections, cases, and cabinets in the Museum (excepting the Epping Forest collections, which are to be retained in the Forest Museum at Chingford); to do their best to increase and improve the same; to undertake the selection and scientific control of the collections; to raise a certain capital sum for the further equipment of the Museum; to appoint a Curator, and to devote a sum of £50 per annum towards the curatorial expenses.
As at least £1000 will be required for the wall-cases, table-cases, cabinets, and other equipments necessary to a Natural History Museum, donations are invited, which may be paid to Lloyds' Bank (Essex Field Club Account—Town Side), 72, Lombard Street, E.C.; or to the Treasurer, W. C. Waller, Esq., Loughton, Essex.
