practicalguideto00unse_0

49
MUSEUM OF THE YORKSHIRE PHILOSOPHICAL
SOCIETY,
ivith its Doric portico. It contains lecture hall or theatre,
council room, library, offices, and a suite of rooms in which
are arranged collections in every division of natural history,
with objects of antiquarian interest and research. It was
erected in 1827 from designs by W. Wilkins, R.A., and
opened February 2nd, 1830, the first president being
the Rev. William V. Harcourt, M.A., F.R.S. No detailed
description of the contents can be given in a notice like the
present, but some of the more remarkable objects may be
alluded to. Hanging on the walls of the theatre are three
large tapestry maps of different parts of England, executed
in 1588. They are amongst the earliest products of the art
in this coimtry, and were presented by Archbishop Harcourt
in 1827. They were once the property of Horace Walpole.
The room on the right contains a valuable collection of the
skeletons of birds, made by Mr. AUis, of York, and purchased
by the Council for £350 in 1838. In the centre cases are
arranged British and foreign shells ; there are also a few
skeletons of mammalia and reptiles of equal interest. The
next room contains stuffed birds with brilliant plumage, and
among them the apteryx or wingless bird from New Zealand.
Adjoining this is that set apart for the display of mineralogical
and geological specimens.
There is also a perfect skeleton of the Dinorms Bobustus
or Moa, from New Zealand, presented by J. H. Gibson, Esq.
This bird is over eight feet high, its thigh bones are like
those of an ox, and is the finest specimen of the genus
known.
In 1857 remains of the Ichthyosaurus were discovered at
Whitby, and presented by the Rev. D. R. Roundell, which
necessitated an enlargement of the premises. Three new
rooms were added, the expense being defrayed by an appeal
to the county, when upwards of ^^1,000 was obtained.
There are also two Plesiosaurt, one contributed in 1854 by
Col. Chomley, the other by the Earl of Zetland. These
examples of Saurian monsters cannot fail to attract the
attention of the visitor.
In 1878 the trustees of the Museum received from
William Reed, Esq., F.G.S., a citizen of York, one of the