Dr. Fűköh Levente szerk.: Malakológiai Tájékoztató 3. (Eger, 1983.)

Krolopp Endre: A Magyar Állami Földtani Intézet recens malakológiai gyűjteménye

geological science, cannot exist without the knowledge of the recent fauna. The recent comparative material is especially important for the research of fossils, among others those of the molluscs, of geological ages of the near past. The perception impelled the leaders of the institute at the time of moving round into the new headquarters to set up a recent malacological collection in order „that the fossils could be compared to the recent ones" (H. Horusitzky). In 1886, owing to the generosity of Artur Semsey, the great patron of Hungarian science, the mollusc collection of A. E. Blitz, the well known Transylvanian malacologue was purchased for 600 Ft. This collection contained, according to the contemporary estimation, 2513 snail- and shell species, and also a separate Transylvanian malacological material of 145 snail- and 9 shell species. Later on the malacological material has been enriched, owing to the enthusiastic researchers, who, during their geological field work or foreign study trips collected the snails and shells they met on their way. A particularly rich material was yielded by the collection of Tivadar Kormos, who worked in the Institute for 12 years. He, together with some other researchers, acquired some correlative material, necessary for their work, also from some Hungarian and foreign museums. This seems to be the origin of the specimens with Hazay's, Soós', Rotarides' handwrite. The preparations for the centenary of the institution (1969) brought the necessity of the arrangement of the recent material, composing the compementary part of the geological document collection („Museum"). The marine malacological material was given to the Natural History Museum, while the freshwater and the terrestrial species were not only inventorized and documented but also partly revised. About 3/4 of the material is now arranged and storied within easy reach. The whole material contains about 1500 taxons, cca 5500 inventory items. The collection contains first of all the specimens of Hungarian fauna, and that of the vicinity. The rich Transylvanian and Croatian material, probably