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GENERAL GUIDE

TO THE

BRITISH MUSEUM (NATURAL HISTORY)

CROMWELL ROAD, LONDON, S.W.

WITH PLANS AND VIEWS OF THE BUILDING,
AND FIFTY-EIGHT ILLUSTRATIONS.

ELEVENTH EDITION.

Lonpon:

PRINTED BY ORDER OF THE TRUSTEES
OF THE BRITISH MUSEUM.

1906.

[All rights reserved. |
LONDON: 2
PRINTED BY WILLIAM CLOWES AND SONS, LIMITED,
DUKE STREET, STAMFORD STREET, S.E., AND GREAT WINDMILL STREET, W.
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PREFACE.

In the present edition a special effort has been made to
replace technical terms (other than scientific names), so far as
possible, by words in ordinary use. This, it is hoped, will
render the “Guide” more acceptable to the general reader,
while in no wise detracting from its usefulness to the more
scientific student. Like its predecessor, this edition has been
revised and brought up to date by Mr. R. Lydekker.

E. RAY LANKESTER.

British Museum (Naturat History).

September, 1906.
TABLE OF CONTENTS.

Se
PAGE

DESCRIPTION OF THE MUSEUM AND ITS CONTENTS sa EL
CrenTraL Hatu.. oF 0 ee ais ws ‘ie aie WEL
Nortu Hatt (Domesticated Animals, &c.) fe . 84
STAIRCASE AND CoRRIDORS.. a3 a 3 . 386
West Wine sn. 2 is a f ss : . 38
Ground Floor a = ae a “i “i .. 88
Bird Gallery Fe is . 38
Pavilion, with British Land and Freshwater Vertebrates w =42
Coral Gallery aS = oe ne i Ay . 44
Fish Gallery x a aid <f ei te AT
Insect Gallery ... fs eh i ee a .. 60
Reptile Gallery... - ‘ vi ts . . 52
Star-fish Gallery .. Pe 7 e as es 54
Shell Gallery se a 3 is we ‘ . 56
Whale Room 3 oe sf a ts . 58
First Floor .. wi és : i sf . 61
Lower Mammal Gallery .. is i .. 62
Second Floor .. oe a ‘ a 7 Be ». 67
Upper Mammal Gallery .. s s 3 ee . 67
East Wine ws i va is “ “ . 69
Ground Floor 8% “ vi be 2 : . 69
Fossil Collections .. i ss be a a .. 69
First Floor «. Bs 3 is a = sii .. 85
Mineralogical Collections .. oe a a a .. 85
Second Floor .. Ae ss ee me o i . «95
Botanical Collections a 95

GENERAL ARRANGEMENT OF THE CONTENTS OF THE
MUSEUM .. a zi ie oe rr da . 98
viii TABLE OF CONTENTS,
PAGE

HISTORICAL SKETCH a a “ " « 105
STAFF OF THE NATURAL HISTORY BRANCH OF THE
BRITISH MUSEUM ee ag aie a . 112
SELECTED LIST OF PUBLICATION 8 Fe a e . 113
GUIDE BOOKS .. fs ai s a . «120
REGULATIONS FOR ADMISSION OF STUDENTS a . 128
NUMBER OF VISITORS TO THE MUSEUM og ; . 124

DAYS AND HOURS OF ADMISSION TO MUSEUM on back of cover.
' A
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VIEW OF THE CENTRAL HALL, LOOKING NORTH.
GENERAL GUIDE

TO

THE BRITISH MUSEUM
(NATURAL HISTORY).

 

DESCRIPTION OF THE MUSEUM AND ITS CONTENTS.

ON entering the Museum, the visitor must bear in mind that the
principal front faces the south, so that he will be looking due
north, with the east on his right, and the west on his left hand.

It must also not be forgotten that a museum in a state of
active growth is continually receiving additions as well as
undergoing changes in the arrangement of its contents, and since
these often occur faster than new editions of the Guide can be
produced, there may be variations in the positions of some of
the specimens from those here given.

THE CENTRAL HALL.

On entering the hall the visitor will notice the bronze statue of Statues and

the late Sir Richard Owen, K.C.B., Superintendent of the Natural te
History Departments of the British Museum (1856-1884). Itis
the work of Mr. T. Brock, R.A., and was placed in the Museum
on March 17th, 1897. To the right of this is a marble statue of
the late Professor T, H. Huxley, sculptured by Mr. E. Onslow
Ford, R.A., which was unveiled on April 28th, 1900. In the
first bay on the left is a bust, by Mr. Brock, of the late Sir W. H.
Flower, Director of the Natural History Departments of the
British Museum from 1884 to 1898. Most of the cases placed
on the floor of the hall illustrate general laws or points of interest
in natural history which do not come appropriately within the
systematic collections of the departmental series.
Group of
Pigeons illus-
trating
Variation
under Domes-
tication.

Groups of
Fowls and
Canaries
illustrating
Variation
under Domes-
tication,

Group of Ruffs
and Reeves,
illustrating
Changes of
Plumage
according to
Sex and
Season.

12 CENTRAL HALL.

One group, in a case near the entrance to the hall, on the
right, shows the great variation to which a species may become
subject under the influence of domestication, as illustrated by
choice examples of the best-marked breeds of Pigeons, all of
which have been derived by careful selection from the wild
Rock Dove (Columba livia), specimens of which are shown at
the top of the case.

In the corresponding case on the left are further illustrations
of the same subject. A pair of the Common Jungle Fowl of
India shows what is generally considered to be the original form
from which all the various breeds of domesticated fowls are
derived. As examples of two of the most extreme modifica-
tions in opposite directions which have been produced by
artificial selection, are the Japanese Long-tailed Fowls, in which
some of the feathers (coverts) have attained a length of nine
feet, and specimens of another breed kept in many parts of
Europe in which the tail is entirely absent. There is also
shown a group of Fowls which now live in a wild state in the
woods of the Fiji Islands, but are descendants from domesticated
owls introduced by the early voyagers of the eighteenth century.
A pair of Cochin Fowls is also exhibited in the same case, in
order to display development in point of size and in the
abundance of feathers on the limbs; while a pair of white
“ Silkies”” illustrates a peculiar modification of the plumage,
accompanied by a rudimentary condition of the tail-feathers.
The pair of Coloured Dorkings exemplifies a breed largely
cultivated in England.

A series of Canaries is likewise shown in this case, as an
example of one of the most recent additions to our stock of
domesticated animals, these birds having been first imported
into Europe from the Canary Islands in the early part of the
sixteenth century. Specimens are exhibited of the wild birds,
and of some of the most striking modifications which have been
produced by cultivation through many generations.

A case placed to the north of this illustrates a remarkable
instance of external differences in the two sexes and changes in
plumage at different seasons, not under the influence of domestica-
tion. The birds in it belong to one species, the Ruff (Pavoncella,
or Machetes, pugnax), of which the female is called Reeve; a
ADAPTATION TO SURROUNDINGS. 13

member of the Plover family (Charadriide). In the upper
division of the case are shown the eggs, newly-hatched young,
and young males and females in the first autumn plumage;
as well as old males and females in winter, when both
sexes are exactly alike in colour, size alone distinguishing
them. The large group occupying the lower part of this case
consists of adult birds in the plumage they assume in the breed-
ing time (May and June). In the female the only alteration
from the winter state is a darker and richer colouring, but in
the males there is a special growth of elongated feathers about
the head and neck, constituting the “ruff,” from which the bird
derives its name. In addition to this peculiarity, another,
rare among animals in a wild state (though common among
domesticated breeds), may be observed, that of striking diversity
of colour in different individuals. Of the twenty-three specimens
shown in the case no two are entirely alike.

Next in order stands a case displaying the remarkable Group of wild
variations, according to season and age, in the plumage of the Bate aon
Wild Duck, or Mallard (Anas boscas). The most noticeable sonal Change
feature in the plumage-changes of this group of birds is the oh Eieee
assumption in summer by the males of certain species of an
“ eclipse-plumage,” closely resembling the one worn by the
females at all seasons. At other times the males are much
more brilliantly coloured than their partners. The eclipse-
plumage corresponds to the winter, or non-breeding dress of
other birds which have a seasonal change.

On the same side of the hall follow two cases illustrating Cases illus-
the adaptation of the colour of animals to their natural sur- pes ny
roundings, by means of which they are rendered less con- Colour to
spicuous to their enemies or their prey. The first contains a Cee
specimen of a Mountain or Variable Hare (the common species
of the north of Europe), a Stoat, and a Weasel, and some
Willow-Grouse and Ptarmigan, as well as an Arctic Fox,
in their summer dress, all obtained in Norway, showing the
general harmony of their colouring at this season to that of
the rocks and plants among which they live. The second case
shows examples of the same animals obtained from the same
country in winter, when the ground was covered with snow.

Such striking changes as these only occur in latitudes and
Case illustrat-
ing Protective
Resemblance
of Desert
Animals to
their Sur-
roundings.

Mimicry.

14 CENTRAL HALL.

localities where the differences between the general external
conditions in the different seasons are extreme, where the snow
disappears in summer and remains on the ground during most
of the winter. Even some of the species here shown do not
habitually turn white in the less severe winters of their southern
range, as the Stoat in England and the Hare in Ireland. In a
few permanent inhabitants of still more northern regions, where
the snow remains throughout the year, as the Polar Bear,
Alaskan Bighorn Sheep, Greenland Falcon, and Snowy Owl,
the white coat is retained throughout the year. The white-
ness of these animals must not be confounded with albinism
(whiteness occurring accidentally in individuals normally of
a different colour), illustrated in a case on the other side of
the hall.

The case on the east side of the hall nearest the great
staircase contains examples of conformity of general style of
colouring to surrounding conditions, as exemplified by some of
the commoner birds, mammals, and reptiles of the Egyptian
desert, placed on the stones and sand amid which they habitually
dwell. The advantage of this colouring in concealing the her-
bivorous species from their enemies, and enabling the carnivorous
to approach their prey unperceived, is obvious. Many excellent
cases of concealment by adaptation to surroundings, especially
in eggs and young birds, may be seen among the groups in the
bird gallery.

More special modifications for the same purpose are shown in
the adjacent bay on the east side of the hall by insects which
closely resemble the objects, such as leaves, twigs, etc.,
among which they dwell. The close imitation of a dead leaf,
presented by the Leaf-Butterfly (Callima inachis), when its wings
are closed, could not be surpassed. A further stage of the same
condition, called “ Mimicry,” is where the object resembled, or
mimicked, is another living animal, belonging to a different
species, family, or even order. The resemblance in these instances
is also believed to be for protection, or to be in some way
advantageous to the animal possessing it. We know, however,
so little of the habits and life-history of animals in a state of
nature that many of the purposes supposed to be served by
particular colours or appearances can only be regarded at
ALBINISM. 15

present as conjectural. Whatever be the real explanation, the
facts shown by the specimens in this bay are very curious, and
worthy of careful consideration.

The next case on the east side of the middle of the hall Group illus-
contains a series of specimens illustrating albinism, a condition {Ros
in which the pigment, or colouring matter, usually present in

 

Fie. 1.—Tuse Lear-Botrerrcy (Callima inachis) In FLIGHT AND atv Rest.

the skin, and giving the characteristic hue, is absent. Indi-
viduals in this condition occur among many animals of various
kinds, and are called “ albinos.” In some of the specimens shown
in the case the albinism is complete, but in many it is partial,
the absence of colouring matter being limited to portions of
the surface only.
16 CENTRAL HALL.

Group illus- The adjacent case shows examples of the opposite condition,
Se called melanism, depending upon an excess of dark-coloured pig-

ment in the skin and its appendages, such as hair, feathers, etc.,
beyond what is commonly met with in the species. This is by
no means so frequent as albinism. A black Leopard in the
middle of the case is a good illustration. It is not a distinct
species, but an individual variety of the common Leopard, born
from parents of the normal colour. A black Bullfinch is intro-

&

 

 

Fic. 2.—Tue Somart Tsrtse-Fiy (Glossina longipennis). Enlarged 4 diameters.

Shows the complete closure of the wings, and the thick, straight proboscis,
characteristic of the genus.

duced as an example of acquired melanism, the bird having
turned black in captivity.

Group illus- Another group shows that two forms of Crows which
eee Inter- appear quite distinct, and, judged by their external
Forms in characters, might be regarded as different species, may in a
Nature.

state of nature unite, and produce hybrid offspring. In
another part of the same case is a series of Goldfinches,
MOSQUITOES AND TSETSE-FLIRS. 17

showing a complete gradation between birds of different colour-
ing, which have been regarded as different species. Both
these examples may by some naturalists be considered instances,
not of crossing of distinct species, but of “dimorphism,” or the
occurrence of a single species in nature under two different
garbs; but from whatever point of view they may be
regarded, they illustrate the difficulty of defining and limiting
the meaning of the term “species,” of such constant use in
natural history,

In the middle line of the hall is placed a case containing Mosquitoes
greatly enlarged models of Mosquitoes or Gnats (figs. 3 and 4), re
and of an African Tsetse-Fly (fig. 2); also still more enlarged
gelatine models of mammalian blood-corpuscles, showing the
parasites by which they are infested in the diseases respec-
tively communicated by means of Mosquitoes and Tsetse.
Models of the parasites themselves are also shown (figs. 5
and 6).

Malaria, or ague, is a disease peculiar to man. It is caused
by extremely minute parasites which live in the red corpuscles
of the blood. Formerly malaria was believed to be contracted
by merely breathing the air of marshy districts, but it is now
proved that the parasites are transmitted from man to man
by the “bite,” or rather “stab,” of a Mosquito or Gnat. The
Common Mosquito or Stabbing Gnat (Culex pipiens), fig. 3,
does not transmit the malaria-parasite; the Spot-winged Mos-
quitoes (fig. 4), of the genus Anopheles, abundant in England and
nearly all parts of the world, being the carriers. This parasite
multiplies not only in the human blood, but in the stomach
and tissues of the Gnat—as shown in the models (fig. 5).

Tsetses (fig. 2) are African blood-sucking Flies, with the
mouth-parts adapted for piercing the skin of mammals such as
Antelopes and Zebras. The blood of some of these animals is
infected with a parasite (fig. 6), which, when carried adherent
to the proboscis of the Fly, and introduced by its bite into the
blood of domesticated animals such as the Horse and Ox,
produces the fatal Tsetse-Disease. The model of one of these
flies exhibited is 28 times (linear) natural size; the Tsetse-
parasites and the red blood-corpuscles are enlarged 6,000
diameters.

Cc
18

Fie. 4.

CENTRAL HALL.

 

Fig. 3.—(a) Tue Common Guat (Culex pipiens). Enlarged.
—(b) THE SPpot-WINGED Mosqutto (Anopheles maculipennis). Enlarged.
 

Fic. 5.—Lire-History oF THE MALARIA PARASITE.

a, exotospore, or malarial germ, as introduced into the blood by the mosquito ; b, exoto-

spore after entry into blood corpuscle; c, growth of exotospore into an amcebula ;
d, division of amcbula to form enhemospores; e, liberated enhsmospores ;
f, growth of enhemospore into a crescent at expense of corpuscle; g, male, and
h, female crescent; 7, male cell with projections, which lengthen, and are
eventually set free as spermatozoa; j, fertilisation of ovum by spermatozoon ;
i, fertilised egg as the active motile vermicule ; J, enlarged vermicule, after boring
through the stomach wall of the mosquito, forming the sphere; m, segment of
sphere at maximum stage of development, containing courtless needle-shaped
spores, which, when it bursts, escape as exotospores into the organs of the
mosquito’s body and Pass through the salivary glands into the proboscis, and so

Ie Pand 2 wenn Lt1s-— =e
c 2
20 CENTRAL HALL.

The Tsetse-parasite multiplies in the blood by the longi-

tudinal division of each of the individuals.
African In the middle line of the hall is placed a magnificent
Elephant. mounted skin of an African Elephant (lephas africanus)
from Rhodesia, standing about 11 feet 4 inches in height. The

 

Fic. 6.

Trypanosoma brucet, the parasite of Nagana, or Tsetse Disease, in blood of
a Donkey (x about 2,500).

skull is also exhibited ; and a very fine pair of tusks ot the
same species from Unyoro, in the Uganda Protectorate, are
likewise shown.

Bays or Most of the bays or alcoves round the hall, five on each

Alcove ds. : 7
the fa side, are (with the exception of the one at the north end of
TYPES OF MAMMALS. 21

the right side reserved for the exhibition of recently acquired
specimens of especial interest) devoted to the Introductory or
Elementary Morphological Collection, designed to illustrate the
more important points in the structure of certain types of
animal and plant life, and the terms used in describing them.
This has been called the “ Index Museum,” as it was thought at
one time that it would form a sort of epitome or index of the
main collections in the galleries ; but the name does not exactly
express that into which it has developed. It is really more
like the general introduction preceding the systematic portion
of treatises on any branch of natural history. The space being
limited, the number of specimens is necessarily restricted. In
examining this collection the visitor should follow each case in
the usual order of reading a book, from left to right, and should
carefully study the printed explanatory labels, to which the
specimens are intended to serve as illustrations.

The bays on the west side (left-hand on entering the hall) are
devoted to the Vertebrated Animals, or those possessing a
“backbone.” In Nos. I. and II. are shown the characters of
the Mammals, which form the highest modification of this type.
The wall-cases of No. I. contain specimens showing the bony
framework (internal skeleton) of Mammals.

In the first case (south side of the recess) will be seen a Bay 1.
complete skeleton of a good example vf the class—a Baboon Skeleton of
Monkey, with all the bones separated, laid out on a tablet, and
their names affixed to them. Below is a skeleton of the
same animal articulated, or with the bones in their natural
relation to each other, and also named. By examining these
two specimens an idea may be obtained of the general frame-
work of the bodies of animals of this class. In other parts of
the case are placed examples of modifications of the skeleton
to suit different conditions of life.

1. Man, showing a skeleton adapted for the upright
position.

2. A Bat, or flying Mammal, in which, by the great elonga-
tion of the fingers, the fore-limbs are converted into wings
(fig. 7), supporting a web of skin stretched between them.

3. A Sloth, in which the tips of both limbs are reduced to
mere hooks, by whose aid the creature hangs back-downwards
22 CENTRAL HALL.

from the boughs of the trees among which it passes its entire
existence.

4, The Baboon serves as an example of an animal walking on
all four limbs in the “plantigrade” position, 7.e., with the whole of
the palms of the hands and soles of the feet applied to the ground.

5. A small species of Antelope shows the characteristic form
of a running animal, in which the limbs perform no office but
that of supporting the body on the ground. It stands on the
tips of the toes of its elongated slender feet.

 

Fig. 7.—THE SKELETON or 4 Fiyinc-Fox, on Fox-Bat (Pieropus medius).

ol, clavicle ; cv, cervical vertebre; d, dorsal vertebre; fb, fibula; fm, femur;
h, humerus; hw, great toe, or hallux; J, lumbar vertebra ; mc, metacarpal ;
mt, metatarsals; ph, phalanges, or toe-bones; pv, pelvis; pa, thumb, or
pollex; 1, radius; s, sacral vertebra; sc, scapula; sk, skull; 1b, tibia;
ts, tarsus; wu, ulna.

6. A Porpoise, adapted solely for swimming in the water.
The fore-limbs are converted into flattened paddles, and the
hind-limbs entirely absent, their function being performed
by the tail, The rudimentary pelvic bones are preserved.

The rest of the case is occupied by details of the skull in
some of its principal modifications. At the top are diagrams
TEETH OF MAMMALS. 23

of the structure of bone and cartilage as shown by the micro-
scope.

In the wall-case on the opposite (north) side of the bay the
outline of the osteology of Mammals is continued by illustrations
of the structure of the limbs. At the top of the case is a
diagram showing the correspondence of the hand and the foot
in their complete typical form, with the names applied by
anatomists to the different bones. The series of specimens
below shows the principal deviations actually occurring from
the typical condition, which, as may be seen, is very nearly
preserved in the human hand. One series shows some of
the stages of modification for special purpose (specialization) by
which a typical five-fingered hand becomes converted into the
single-toed fore-foot of the Horse, and another series ends with the
fore-foot of the Ruminants, with only two toes remaining, some-
times, but erroneously, calleda“ cloven hoof.” Similar changes
are shown in the toes of the hind-foot, illustrating the
same common plan running through infinite modifications in
detail, enabling the organ to perform such a variety of purposes
and to exhibit such diversity of outward appearance. The
existence of this common plan is now generally regarded as
due to inheritance from a common ancestor.

The central case of the bay contains a collection illustrat- Teeth of
ing the principal characters of the teeth of Mammals. ™#™™#ls
Its inspection should commence at the north-east corner, where
the visitor will find himself after completing the survey of the
osteological specimens in the wall-cases. In the first division
are placed specimens showing the general characters of
teeth, their form, the different tissues of which they are
composed, the two great types of dentition in Mammals,
homeodont and heterodoni,* the names and serial correspondence
of the different teeth, and their development and succession.
The principal modifications of teeth according to function are
next shown by examples of forms adapted for fish-eating, flesh-
eating, insect-eating, grass-eating, &c. The remainder of
the case is taken up by examples of the dentition of the
families of Mammals arranged in order, and prepared so as

* In the homeodont type the teeth are alike, in the heferodont they arc
divided into groups.
Bay II.
Classification
of Mammals.

Skin
of Mammals.

24 CENTRAL HALL.

to display not only the shape of the crowns, but also the
number and character of the roots by which they are implanted.

In bay No. IL. the two wall-cases contain a collection ar-
ranged to show in a serial manner the generally recognised
orders and sub-orders of existing Mammals, by examples
selected to illustrate the predominating characters by which
these are distinguished. A brief popular account of the
characteristics of the group, and a map showing its geographical
distribution, are placed with each. This is intended not only for
an introduction to the study of the class by visitors to the
museum, but also as a guide to a method of arrangement which
may be adopted in smaller institutions.

Among the illustrations of the order Primates is placed the
skeleton of a young Chimpanzee dissected by Dr. Tyson,
which formed the subject of his work on the “ Anatomy of a
Pigmie,” published in 1699, the earliest scientific description
of any Man-like Ape.

The central case of this bay contains illustrations of the
outer covering or skin and its modifications in the class
of Mammals, divided into the following sections:

1. Expansion of skin to aid in locomotion, as the webs
between the fingers of swimming and flying animals, the para-
chutes of flying animals.

2. The development of bony plates in the skin, found among
Mammals only in the Armadillos and their allies. The cast
of a section of the tail of a gigantic extinct species
(Glyptodon) shows a bony external as well as an internal
skeleton.

3. The outer covering modified into true scales, much resem-
bling in structure the nails of the human hand. This occurs
in only one family of Mammals, the Pangolins, or Manide.

4. Hair in various forms, including bristles and spines. The
two kinds of hair composing the external clothing of most
Mammals, the long, stiffer outer hair, and the short, soft under-
fur, are shown by various examples.

5. The special epidermal appendages found in nearly all
Mammals on the ends of the fingers and toes, called according
to the various forms they assume, nails, claws, or hoofs.

6. The one or two unpaired horns of the Rhinoceroses, shown
STRUCTURE OF BIRDS. 25

by sections to consist of a solid mass of hair-like epidermic
fibres.

7. The horns of Oxen, Goats, and Antelopes, consisting of a
hollow conical sheath of horn, covering a permanent projection
of the frontal bone (the horn-core).

8. The antlers of Deer, solid, bony, generally branched, projec-
tions, covered during growth with soft hairy skin, and in most
cases shed and renewed annually.

On the wall is arranged a series of antlers of the Stag
or Red Deer (Cervus elaphus), grown and shed (except the
last) in thirteen successive years, showing the changes which
took place in their size and form, and the development of the
branches, or tines, in each year. In old age the number of
these tines tends to diminish.

On the north side of the table-case are dissections of the
principal internal organs of Mammals.

Bay No. III. is devoted to the class of Birds. An Albatross Bay III.
(Diomedea exulans) mounted with the wings expanded shows eee
the most important characters by which a bird is externally of Birds.
distinguished from other animals. The body is clothed
with feathers, which (in the majority of birds), by their great
size and special arrangement upon the fore-limbs, enable
these to act as organs of flight. The mouth is in the form of
a horny beak. A nestling Albatross shows that at this stage of
its existence the bird is not clothed with true feathers, but with
soft down, which serves to keep the body warm, although it
confers no power of flight. An Emu and Apteryx in the lower
compartment of the case display the exceptional condition (found
only in a comparatively few members of the class) of birds with
wings so small as to be concealed beneath the general feathery
covering of the body, and quite useless. In the Penguins,
of which two species are shown in the case, the wings are
reduced to the condition of fins, and are only serviceable for
progress through water.

In the first wall-case the principal features of the skeleton of
the class are shown. Sections of bones exhibit the large air-cavi-
ties within ; a complete skeleton of an Eagle, with the bones sepa-
rated and named, and mounted skeletons of the Ostrich, Penguin,
Pelican, Vulture, Night-Parrot, Fowl, &c., show the chief modi-
Bay IV.
General struc-
ture of
Reptiles and
Amphibians,

26 CENTRAL HALL.

fications of the skeleton. The Apteryx possesses the smallest,
and the Frigate-bird the longest bones of the wing, the corre-
spondence of which can be readily traced by means of the
labels attached to them. The under surfaces of the skulls of
various birds are shown with the different bones coloured to
indicate their limits and relations; these are followed by a
series of the different types of sternum or breast-bone.

The second wall-case contains further illustrations of the
anatomy of birds. In the left-hand part a series of wings of
birds displaying the form characteristic of different groups;
while above them are a few of the different types of tails,
supplementing the series of tails in the table case. Very
instructive is a series of skins of white chickens of the same
brood at different ages displaying the gradual replacement of
the down by the adult plumage.

The table-case in the middle of the bay contains illustrations
of the external characters, the beak, the feathers, and the tail, as
well as of the fore and hind limbs, or wings and feet. By the aid
of the explanatory labels, the essential characters and the prin-
cipal modifications of all these parts can easily be followed.

Two cases on the walls at the entrance to bay V. illustrate
the leading modifications of the eggs of Birds, and their differ-
ences in structure, number, form, size, texture of surface, and
colour. On the side of the main staircase opposite are speci-
mens illustrating the parasitic habits of some Cuckoos and
certain other Birds; while near by is a remarkably fine series
of the eggs of Cuckoos with those of the Birds among which
they were respectively deposited. On the opposite (east) side
of the staircase the visitor will find a case showing the remark-
able variation in colouring and markings displayed by the eggs
of the Guillemot.

The fourth bay on the west side of the hall exhibits the
leading peculiarities in the structure of Reptiles and Amphi-
bians. Owing to the large number of groups in the former
class now extinct, many fossil specimens, or plaster reproduc-
tions of the same, are shown. The wall-case on the south side
of this bay illustrates the different ordinal groups of Reptiles—
living and extinct. Very instructive are the skeletons of
Tortoises and Turtles, showing the relations of the vertebre
STRUCTURE OF REPTILES AND AMPHIBIANS. 27

and limb-bones to the bony shell. Lizards and Snakes are
mostly represented by coloured casts. The extinct Dinosaurs
are represented by a small-sized model of the Jguanodon,
together with a photograph of the skeleton and a plaster-cast
of the bones of the hind-foot showing the three toes.

The adjacent side of the table-case shows the modifications
of the backbone, or vertebral column, of the ribs, and of the

 

Fie. 8.—Sxunn or Tar Giant TuaTera (Hyperodapedon gordont), from the
Triassic Sandstone of Lossiemouth, Elgin, (} nat. size). A, upper surface
of skull; B, palatal aspect of skull; C, under-side of front of lower
jaw; Pm, premaxillary bone; Mz, maxillary; Pl, palatal teeth;
Md, lower jaw; O, orbit, or eye-socket; N, nostrils; S, temporal pit;
S’, lateral temporal fossa.

limbs, in the different groups of the class. Specially noticeable
are examples of five types of Skink-like Lizards, exhibiting the
gradual diminution in the size of the limbs and their final
disappearance.

The opposite, or north, side of the table-case displays the
Bay V.
Structure of
Fishes.

28 CENTRAL HALL,

different modifications in the skull and teeth of living and
extinct Reptiles. In some, like Crocodiles and Ichthyosaurs,
the jaws are armed with a full series of sharply pointed teeth,
while in others, like the Tortoises and Turtles, they are devoid
of teeth and encased in horn. Very remarkable is the
approximation to a carnivorous mammalian type presented by
the dentition of some of the extinct Theromorphs, and equally
noticeable are the palatal crushing teeth of certain other extinct
Reptiles known as Placodus and Cyamodus. The peculiar den-
tition of the New Zealand Tuatera, and likewise that of its
extinct European and Indian ally Hyperodapedon (fig. 8), are
also shown.

The brain and other internal organs of Reptiles are displayed
in the left half of the wall-case on the north side of this bay,
in which are also shown the eggs of many species, in some cases
with the embryo.

In the right half of the same case is exhibited a number of
preparations showing the external form and internal structure
of Amphibians, living and extinct. The Giant Salamander of
Japan (Megalobatrachus or Cryptobranchus) is represented by
a stuffed specimen but the Newts, Salamanders, and Frogs
are shown in spirit. Very curious is the almost colourless
and blind Olm (Proteus) from the caves of Carniola; as also
are the so-called Cecilians, or Apoda, which have the habits
and, in some degree, the appearance of large worms. Special
specimens exhibit the structure of the extinct Labyrinthodonts,
in which the hinder half of the skull is completely roofed over
by bone; while the teeth in many cases exhibit a curious in-
folded arrangement from which the group derives its name.

The last bay (No. V.) on the west side of the Central Hall is
devoted to the display of the form and structure of Fishes.

The wall-case on the left side of this bay exhibits the external
form of several characteristic types of Fishes, such as the Pike,
Cod, Turbot, Dog-fish, and Skate, with the names of the various
fins affixed. A striking specimen is the skeleton—mainly carti-
laginous—of the Great Blue Shark (Carcharodon rondeletii)
(fig. 9), which occupies the greater portion of this case. It
should be noted that, as in all Sharks and Rays, the upper jaws
do not correspond with those of the higher Vertebrates; and
29

TYPES OF FISHES.

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30 CENTRAL HALL.

or, as in Pentanemus, to serve as organs of touch. Specimens
of the West Indian Goby and the Lump-Sucker show modifica-
tions of the pelvic fins in connection with a sucker on the lower
surface of the body; while other preparations display the
pectoral (Doras) and pelvic fins (Monocentris) reduced to the
condition of saw-like spines.

The structure of the skull of Fishes is illustrated in another

 

Fie. 11.—Tue Frying Gurnarp (Dactylopterus volitans).
(From Giinther’s “ The Study of Fishes.”)

part of the same side of this case. From this the visitor may
learn how the primitive cartilaginous skull of the Sharks
(fig. 9), Rays, Chimeras, and Lung-fishes has been gradually
modified by the addition of superficial sheathing-bones into the
bony skull of modern fishes, such as the Cod and Perch.

The north side of the table-case in Bay V. is mainly devoted
to the display of the different types of scales, spines, and teeth
LANCELET. 31

found among Fishes. In one corner are the “ ganoid” scales
of the modern American Bony Pike (Lepidosteus), and the
African Bichir (Polypterus), alongside those of certain extinct
forms. A scale of the Tarpon, or king-of-the Herrings, illus-
trates the largest development in point of size of the modern
“eycloid” type. Spines of the Porcupine-fish show an extreme
development of this kind of structure. Diagrams and spirit-
preparations illustrate the mode of attachment and succession

 

Fic. 12.—A Jaw or tue Port Jackson SHarxk (Cestracion philippi),
showing sharp teeth in front and crushing ones behind.

of fish teeth. A large series of the teeth of Sharks and Rays
displays the gradual passage from those of the ordinary
point form to others arranged in a pavement-like manner
and adapted solely for crushing. Both types occur in the
Port Jackson Shark (fig. 12), while those of some Rays
are solely of the pavement modification. Very remarkable is
the dental structure in the Parrot-fish, The west end of this
side of the case shows the various modifications assumed by the
teeth of the modern Bony Fishes ; among which, as exemplified
Lancelet.

Bay VII.
Molluses.

32 CENTRAL HALL.

by the Wrasse, teeth are developed on the bones of the throat,
as well as on the bones of the jaws. Throughout this case
specimens, or models, of the teeth of extinct Fishes are placed
side by side with those of their nearest living relatives.

The wall-case on the north side of this bay shows the
history of the development of various Fishes, together with the
form and structure of the gills, brain, heart, digestive system,
and other organs.

A small case affixed to the pillar at the entrance to the fourth
bay illustrates the structure of the Lancelet (Branchiostoma,
or Amphiowus), by the aid of spirit-specimens, enlarged models,
and coloured diagrams, One of the most remarkable features in
the structure of this strange and primitive little creature is the
outer cavity enclosing the large and complex gullet, or pharynx.
The Lancelet was formerly included among the Fishes, but is
now accorded the rank of class (Cephalochorda) to itself.

Leaving bay VI., next the principal staircase on the east side
of the central hall, which, as mentioned above, is reserved for
recently acquired specimens of more than ordinary interest,
the visitor passes to bay VII. The wall-cases on both sides of
this bay are devoted to Molluscs, or “Shell-fish.” In the first
division of the north wall-case is mounted a series of speci-
mens in spirit. .

Alongside is a large series of shells arranged on tablets to
show: firstly, the leading structural types, such as univalve,
bivalve, multivalve, &c.; then the nature of the outer coat,
or “skin;” and, thirdly, some of the more striking styles of
ornamentation and colouring. Following these, a division is
devoted to the display of the general form of the shells of
bivalves, especial attention being directed to the nature of
the hinge by which the two valves are joined. Freshwater
Mussels (Unionide) are selected as examples of great variability
in the form of the shell in closely allied species. Near by
is a small series of the shells of boring bivalves, many of them
in the substances they perforate.

The left half of the wall-case on the opposite side of this bay
shows, in a similar manner, the varieties in form and structure
presented by univalve or Gastropod shells. Many of the
specimens have been cut to show the internal structure.
PLANTS. 33

Specimens of the horny or shelly plate (operculum) closing the
mouth of many Gastropod shells are also exhibited in this case.

The right end of the same case displays spirit-preparations
of the Cephalopod Molluscs, such as Cuttle-fish, Squids,
Nautilus, Paper-Nautilus, &c. Specimens of the horny
beaks possessed by all members of this class are also
exhibited; and a Pearly Nautilus, with the shell cut in two in
order to show the air-chambers and the comparatively small
space occupied by the “animal,” will be found of special
interest.

The table-case in this bay, as mentioned above (p. 14), is
devoted to the illustration of “Mimicry” and kindred pheno-
mena. Most of the examples shown occur among Insects; but
one example among Mammals and a second in Birds are
illustrated. Very striking is a coloured sketch showing a group
of red and black caterpillars from Singapore collected side by
side on the stem of a plant so as to present a remarkable
similarity to a succulent fruit. Another instance of a
similar type, from East Africa, is exhibited in the sketch of a
“ flower,” formed by winged Insects allied to Cicadas, the red
males constituting the base, and the green females the summit
of the spike.

In bay VIII., on the eastern side of the central hall, an Bay vim.
exhibition illustrating trees, native to or grown in Britain, is in
progress. The winter and summer states are indicated by
photographs, and the foliage, flowers, fruits, seedlings, and
texture of wood and bark, by specimens, models, and drawings.

Bays IX. and X. are intended to illustrate the structure of
the vegetable kingdom, and are in course of arrangement.

Two table-cases illustrating insectivorous (insect-eating), and Bay IX.
parasitic plants respectively are temporarily placed in bay IX.

At the back of the bay is a fine polished section of a buttress
from the base of the Tapang (Abauria excelsa), the largest tree
in Borneo, attaining a height of 250 feet.

The last bay is devoted to the “ Angiospermous” division of Bay X.
seed-plants, in which the pollen penetrates the stigma and Dpoeyleivae
fertilises the ovule in a closed chamber or ovary, which develops Monocotyle-
into the fruit enclosing the seed. The Angiosperms forming the done:
section of Monocotyledons are characterised by a single seed-

D
Domesticated

Animals,

Hybrids, an

Economic
Zoology.

34 NORTH HALL.

leaf or cotyledon, and foliage-leaves with more or less parallel
veins, without the irregular network found in a dicotyledonous
leaf, The Dicotyledons, on the other hand, have a pair of
cotyledons and foliage -leaves with an irregularly netted
venation. The arrangement of the vegetative parts of the
plant is based on its separation into root, stem, and leaf.
In the right-hand wall-case the upper series of specimens illus-
trates the leaf, its form, veining, direction, the characters of its
stalk and stipules, its modification for special purposes, and its
arrangement on the stem and in the bud. Below the stem and
root are similarly treated, and above are some anatomical
drawings. The display of the root is continued in the lower
part of the opposite wall-case.

In the central case the chief types of the flower with its
parts, the fruit, and the seed are exhibited.
' At the back of the bay is a large transverse section of the
Karri tree (Eucalyptus diversicolor) of Western Australia, a
species which grows to a height of 400 feet. The tree from
which the section was cut was about 200 years old when felled.

The Introductory Collection of Minerals will be found in the
gallery devoted to that department of the collection (see p. 85).

THE Nortu HAL.

The North Hall, or that portion of the building situated to
the northward of the principal staircase, is intended for the
exhibition of the more important breeds of Domesticated
Animals, as well as examples of Hybrids and other Abnor-
malities. A series of specimens illustrative of Economic
Zoology is likewise being added.

The examples of Domesticated Animals are not yet per-
manently arranged, and many more are required before the
series can be regarded as at all representative. The chief ex-
hibits comprise Horses, Cattle, Sheep, Goats, Dogs, and Rabbits.
One of the main objects of this series is to show the leading
characteristics of the well-established breeds, both British and
foreign. In addition to Domesticated Animals properly so
DOMESTICATED ANIMALS. 35

called, there are also exhibited examples of what may be termed
Semi-Domesticated Animals, such as white or parti-coloured
Rats and Mice.

The skulls and skeletons of celebrated Horses of all breeds,
including those of the Racers “Stockwell,” “Bend Or” and
“ Ormonde,” and of the Shire “ Blaisdon Conqueror,” form a
notable feature of the series. In another case is exhibited the
dentition of the Horse at different periods of existence ; while
on the opposite side of the same is illustrated the evolution of
the Horse from three and four-toed ancestors, and also certain
peculiarities distinguishing the skulls of Thoroughbreds and
Arabs from those of most other breeds.

Among the more notable exhibits are a stuffed specimen
of a Spanish Fighting Bull, which belongs to an altogether
peculiar breed; and heads of Spanish Draught Cattle, presented
by H.M. the King. Among the Sheep, attention may be
directed to the four-horned and fat-tailed breeds, and also to
the small breed from the island of Soa, as well as the curious
spiral-horned Wallachian Sheep. The so-called wild cattle of
Chillingham Park are included in this series, since they are not
truly wild animals, but are descended from a domesticated
breed. The celebrated greyhound “ Fullerton” is shown among
the series of Dogs, which also comprises two fine examples of
the Afghan Greyhound. Small-sized models of Cattle, Horses,
Sheep, and Pigs also form a feature of the series.

A hybrid between the Zebra and the Ass is shown in one of
the cases; while photographs illustrate the experiments under-
taken by Professor Ewart in cross-breeding between Burchell’s
Zebra and the Horse. An example of the Lion-Tiger hybrids
born many years ago in Atkins’ menagerie, is likewise shown.

A fine series of hybrid Ducks and hybrid Pheasants is also
exhibited in the north hall.

Facing the visitor as he enters the middle of the north gketetons of
hall are the skeletons of a Man and of a Horse, arranged ae
for comparison with each other, and also to show the position
of the bones of both in relation to the external surface. In the
case of the Horse, the skin of the same animal from which the
skeleton was prepared was carefully mounted, and, when dry,
divided in the middle line, and one half, lined with velvet,

D 2
Section of
“ Big Tree.”

Statue of
Darwin.

36 STAIRCASE AND CORRIDORS.

placed behind the skeleton. In the Man the external surface is
shown by a papier-maché model, similarly lined and placed in
a corresponding position. As all the principal bones of both
skeletons have their names attached, a study of this group will
afford not only a lesson in comparative anatomy, but may also
be of practical utility to the artist.

Against the wall dividing the north hall from the central
hall is placed a section of a very large Wellingtonia or “ Big
Tree” (Sequoia gigantea), which was cut down in 1892 near
Fresno, in California. It is about fifteen feet in diameter, and
perfectly sound to the centre, showing distinctly 1,335 rings of
annual growth, which afford exact evidence of the age of the
tree. An instantaneous photograph, taken while the tree was
being felled, is placed near it, and shows its general appearance
when living. Its height was 276 feet.

The exhibits of Economic Zoology occupy the northern
division of this hall. In the western wall-case are specimens
showing the injury done to trees by various insects. The
table-cases contain examples of the damage done in Britain
to fruit, roots, corn, garden and vegetable produce, with
specimens of the insects, and hints as to methods of destruction.
There are also examples of injury done by insects abroad to
cotton, tea, coffee, &c. In the cases under the windows are
various parasites affecting man and domesticated animals.

STAIRCASE AND CORRIDORS.

On the first landing of the great staircase, facing the centre of
the hall, is placed the seated marble statue of CHARLES DARWIN
(b. 1809, d. 1882), to whose labours the study of natural history
owes so vast an impulse. The statue was executed by Sir J. E.
Boehm, R.A., as part of the “ Darwin Memorial” raised by public
subscription. It was unveiled and placed under the care of the
Trustees of the Museum on the 9th of June, 1885, when an
address was delivered on behalf of the Memorial Committee, by
the late Professor Huxley, P.R.S., to which His Majesty the
King (then Prince of Wales), as representing the Trustees,
replied.
GIRAFFES AND OKAPI. 37

Above the first landing the staircase divides into two flights,
each leading to one of the corridors which flank the west and
east sides of the hall, and by which access is gained to the
galleries of the first floor of the building. At the southern end
of these corridors two staircases, raised on arches spanning the
hall, join to form a central flight leading to the second or upper
most floor. On the landing at the top of this flight is placed

a marble statue by Chantrey of Srr JosepH Banxs (b. 1743, Statue of
anks,

 

Fig. 13.—A. Femate Oxapi (Okapia johnstoni, or O. ericksoni).

d. 1820), who for forty-one years presided over the Royal
Society, and was an active Trustee of the Museum. His
botanical collections are preserved in the adjoining gallery, but
his unrivalled library of works on natural history, also bequeathed
to the Museum, remains at Bloomsbury, where the statue,
erected by public subscription in 1826, stood until it was
removed to its present situation by direction of the Trustees in

the year 1886.
African
Antelopes.

Giraffes
and Oxapi.

Gould
Collection of
Humming-
Birds.

Bird Gallery.

38 BIRD GALLERY,

The west, south, and east corridors contain a portion of the
collection of mounted Mammals for which there is not room in
the gallery immediately adjoining. The specimens placed here
include a large number of species of the finest African Antelopes,
animals remarkable for their beauty, for their former countless
numbers, and for their threatened extermination in consequence
of the inroads of civilized man into their domain.

In a case at the head of the staircase leading to the east
corridor are three mounted specimens of Giraffes, and near by
a skeleton of the same. Alongside of the former is placed
a case containing the heads and necks together with skulls of
other Giraffes; while in a third are displayed specimens of
their near ally the Okapi (fig. 13) of the Congo Forest.

The collection of Humming-Birds (Trochilide) arranged and
mounted by the late Mr. John Gould, and purchased for the
Museum after his death in 1881, is disposed partly in the
east corridor and partly on the pillars of the staircase. The
resplendent colours and singular varieties of form presented by
these fairy-like objects can scarcely fail to excite admiration.

WEST WING.

The whole of the west wing of the building is devoted to the
collections of recent Zoology.

(A) GrounD FLoor.

The ground floor is entered from the west side (left hand) ot
the central hall, near the main entrance of the building. The
long gallery, extending the entire length of the front of the wing
as far as the west pavilion, is assigned to the exhibited collection
of Birds, the study-series of the same group being kept in
cabinets in a room behind.
BRITISH MUSEUM (NATURAL HISTORY)

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BIRD GALLERY. 39

The wall-cases contain mounted specimens of all the principal systematic
genera, placed in systematic order, beginning with the Crows a
and Birds of Paradise on the left hand on entering, and ending
with the Ostriches on the right.

Among the multitude of specimens exhibited in this gallery,
which form, however, but a small proportion of the different
kinds of Birds known to inhabit the globe, only a few of the more
striking can be mentioned here. The various types of the Birds

 

Fie. 14.—Tue Great AvK or GaRreE-Fow. (Plautus, or Alea, impennis)
AND ITS EGG.

(From specimens in the Museum.)

of Prey are very fully represented: from the Condor of the
Andes, the large Sea-Eagle of Bering Strait, and the Great
Eagle-Owl of Europe (all of which are placed in separate cases),
to the Dwarf Falcon in case 53, which is not much larger
than a sparrow, and preys upon insects. Among the large group of
Perching-Birds, attention is drawn to the cases of Birds of Paradise
and Bower-Birds in the first bay on the left. In separate cases
in the sixth bay on the opposite side of the gallery are placed
skeletons of the Dodo and Solitaire, gigantic Pigeons with wings
Groups of
British Birds
and Nests.

40 BIRD GALLERY,

too small for flight, once inhabitants of the islands of Mauritius
and Rodriguez, but now extinct. Other cases on the right-hand
side of the gallery are occupied by the Game-Birds, and the
Wading and Swimming Birds. Here will be noticed a nearly
complete collection of the genera of Pheasants and Pigeons,
showing the various forms. Special attention may be drawn
to the Great Auk (fig. 14), from the Northern Seas, which
became extinct only in the last century. Casts of the eggs of
this curious bird are also exhibited. A case in the 7th Bay
contains a series of Penguins, flightless birds which may be
regarded as representing the Auks and Guillemots in the
southern oceans. Particularly interesting is the great Emperor
Penguin, which lays its eggs and rears its young amidst the
icy surroundings of the Antarctic. The specimens exhibited
were obtained during the British Antarctic Expedition of
1839-43, under the command of Captain Sir James Clark Ross.

Other noteworthy types are the Great Bustard, once an
inhabitant of England, and the Flamingo. A pair of the latter
is exhibited with their nest.

In the first two bays on the right side of the gallery are placed
specimens of the peculiar division of birds called Ratite, from
the flat or raft-like character of the breast-bone. Owing to
the rudimentary character of their wings, these Birds have
not the power of raising themselves in flight. They
include the largest existing Birds, the Ostriches, Emus, and
Cassowaries, as well’as the small Kiwis or Apteryx of New
Zealand, together with the extinct Moas of the same country,
and the Roc (Apyornis) of Madagascar. A fossil egg of the
latter is placed alongside eggs of the existing species of the
group.

Down the middle line of the gallery, as well as in many
of the bays, are placed groups showing the nesting-habits
of the best-known British birds. The great value of these
groups consists in their absolute truthfulness. The sur-
roundings are not selected by chance or imagination, but
in every case are carefully-executed reproductions of those that
were present round the individual nest. When it has been
possible, the actual rocks, trees, or grass, have been preserved,
and where these were of a perishable nature they have been
41

GALLERY.

BIRD

‘TUNESN]T st[} UL Woultoads ve MOI

‘aINYBU JO OZIG : TAO

aUVY) XO HAW LVGIH AHL JO D9Y—'CT ‘DIY

 
Pavilion, with

42 BRITISH VERTEBRATES.

accurately modelled from nature. Great care has also been taken
in preserving the natural form and characteristic attitudes of the
Birds themselves. Among the more attractive cases are, near
the centre of the gallery, a pair of Puffins, feeding their
single young one, and Black-throated Divers, with their eggs
in a hollow in the grass on the edge of a mountain-loch in
Sutherland. Hen-harriers, the male grey and the female brown, .
with their nest among the heather from the moorland of the
same county. On the left of this is a Peregrine Falcon’s eyrie,
on the ledge of a rocky cliff, containing three white downy nest-
lings. Also various species of Ducks, especially the Red-headed
Pochard on the sedgy border of a Norfolk mere. In the last.
bay but one on the right side is a nest of the Heron, in
a fir-tree, with the two old and three nearly fledged young
birds. Various species of Gulls and a particularly beautiful
group of Arctic Terns from the Shetland Islands, are exhibited
in the middle line towards the west end of the gallery and in
the eighth and ninth bays. In the eighth bay on the right side
and in the adjoining passage are Plovers, Sandpipers, Snipes,
&c., some of which (especially the Ringed and Kentish
Plovers) show the wonderful adaptation of the colouring of the
eggs and young birds to their natural surroundings for the
purpose of concealment. In the second passage leading to
the Coral gallery are the Ptarmigan and Capercaillie from
Scotland, and in the adjacent part of the middle line Wood-
Pigeons and Turtle-Doves building their simple, flat nests
of sticks in ivy-clad trees. In the fourth, sixth and seventh
bays on the left are Sand-Martins and Kingfishers, showing,
by means of sections of the banks of sand or earth, the form
and depth of the hole in which the eggs are placed; and the
nests of the Swift, Swallow, and House-Martin, all in portions
of human habitations.

The “ pavilion” at the west end of the Bird gallery is devoted

British Land to the exhibition of the land and freshwater Vertebrated Animals

and Fresh-
water
Yertebrates.

of the British Islands. The larger Mammals and Fishes occupy
the wall-case on the north side, which is surmounted with
horns. In the two pairs of centre cases is exhibited the series
of British Birds, which is supplemented by the groups already
referred to. The wall-case on the north side of the archway
BRITISH VERTEBRATES. 43

contains a fine group of Gannets and other sea-birds from the
Bass Rock in the Firth of Forth. On the opposite side are two
important groups with the surroundings true to nature, the one
of the Golden Eagle and the other of the Buzzard, both
taken in Scotland. Other groups in the pavilion display the
Kestrel, the Peregrine Falcon, and the Merlin in their natural
surroundings, Among the Mammals, especial attention may be
directed to a case of British Hares and Rabbits. In another
case may be seen a female Badger and her young; while in a
third are a group of Otters, in a fourth a Mole-hill with its
inhabitants; in a fifth a pair of Martens, in a sixth Polecats,
Stoats, and Weasels, in a seventh Hedgehogs, Squirrels in
another, and so on.

Here it may be mentioned that the animal inhabitants of any
country or district are collectively termed its “fauna.” The
British Islands in this respect belong to the great zoo-geographi-
cal region called Palarctic, or Eastern Holarctic, embracing all
Europe, the north of Africa, and the western and northern
portions of Asia. As in the case of all islands, the species
belonging to groups whose powers of locomotion are limited to
the land or fresh-water, are not numerous compared with those
inhabiting large continental tracts. Their numbers can only
increase under exceptional circumstances, and have a tendency
to diminish, as the growth of human population and increase
of the area of cultivated land gradually reduce their
native haunts. In this way, the Brown Bear, the Wolf, the
Beaver, and the Wild Boar have disappeared from Britain
within the historic period, while others, as. the Badger, Marten,
and Wild-Cat, with difficulty maintain a more or less precarious
existence. These have all been originally derived from the main-
land of Europe, probably before the formation of the channel
which separated Great Britain. The wider and older channel
which separates Ireland from Great Britain has been a
greater barrier to the emigration of animal life than that
between the latter and the Continent, many species (as the
Polecat, Wild-Cat, Mole, Squirrel, Dormouse, Harvest-Mouse,
Water-Rat, Short-tailed Field-Mouse, Common Hare, Roedeer,
as well as Snakes and Toads) never having crossed, unless
by human agency.
44 CORAL GALLERY.

On the other hand, those species that have the power of
travelling through the air or traversing the ocean are far less
fixed in their habitat, and thus the list of so-called “ British
Birds” receives accessions from time to time from stragglers
which find their way from the European continent or even across
the Atlantic.

Slight but permanent variations from the continental type
may be recognised in a few of our native species, some of
the most marked among vertebrated animals being the Irish
Stoat, the Squirrel, the Red Grouse, the St. Kilda Wren, the
Coal Tit, the Goldcrest, and several species of fresh-water
fishes, mostly belonging to the genera Salmo and Coregonus.
Some of the latter, such as the Vendace, the Gwyniad, and
their allies, of which specimens are exhibited in the wall-case
in the pavilion, have an extremely local distribution, being only
found in some small groups of mountain lakes.

Of the Seals, only two species are really natives of Britain,
the Common Seal (Phoca vitulina) and the Great Grey Seal
(Halicherus grypus) ; both these being shown in the pavilion.

Coral Gallery. Parallel with the Bird gallery to the north side (right on enter-
Cee ing), and approached by several passages, isa long narrow gallery
6d.) containing the collectionof Corals and of Sponges and allied forms.

Commencing at the eastern end,some of the lowest forms of

animal life are exhibited in the wall-case and table-cases; they
belong to a group called Protozoa, and, for the greater part,
are so minute, that they can be only studied with the micros-
cope ; their structure is therefore illustrated by means of models
and figures. The next divisions of the gallery are occupied by the

Sponges, most conspicuous among these being a series showing

the variations of the common bath-sponge (cases 1 and 2), the

beautiful flinty Huplectella or Venus’ Flower-basket (fig. 16),

the Japanese Hyalonema or Glass-rope Sponge (case 3), and the
gigantic Poterion or Neptune’s Cup, of which several speci-
mens are placed on separate stands. Special interest attaches
to the case showing the different kinds of Sponges used in
commerce.

Nearly the whole of the remainder of the gallery is given up
to Corals. In life these creatures display an immense variety
of form and colour, sometimes presenting a marvellous resem-
CORAL GALLERY. 45

 

Fic. 16.—Guass-Sponess (Euplectella imperialis and Euplectella aspergillum)
(VeEnus’ FLOWER - BAsKET.)
(One-sixth natural size.)
46 CORAL GALLERY.

blance to vegetable growths; but the part exhibited is merely
the dried, hard, horny, or stony basis or supporting skeleton,
either of isolated individuals, or of colonies. Corals are allied
to the well-known Sea-anemones of our coasts; the combined
skeletons of myriads of these animals form the coral-reefs which
constitute the base of thousands of islands in the Indo-Pacific
Ocean. Among the larger reef-making species are the Brain-
Corals (Meandrina), one of which is shown in the accompanying

 

Fic. 17.—A Brary-Corat (Meandrina cerebriformis).

cut (fig. 17). Near the west end of the gallery is placed a magnifi-
cent specimen of the Black Coral of the Mediterranean (Gerardia
savalia), obtained off the coast of the island of Eubcea in the
Aigean Sea. The drawing in the case shows a magnified
view of the “animals” or polyps of this species as they appear
in life. In case 13 are specimens and drawings of the Red
Coral (Corallium rubrum), so largely used for ornamental pur-
poses, and also of the crimson Organ-pipe Coral (Tubipora
musica). Arranged on shelves on the south wall of the
FISH GALLERY. 47

western end of this gallery is a series of Pennatulide (Sea-pens,
Sea-rushes, or Sea-ropes) preserved in spirit. These Zoophytes
live at the bottom of the sea, with their lower ends fixed in
the sand and mud; the skeleton being never more than a
straight internal rod.
Approached through the Coral gallery, and running backwards
at right angles with it, are several galleries containing other
portions of the zoological collections.
I. The Fish gallery, only one half of which is at present Fish Gallery.
open to the public, is nearest to the central hall, and con-

 

Fic. 18.—Tur Rouen Sunrisa (Orthagoriscus truncatus).
Captured near Portland.
48 FISH GALLERY.

tains the exhibited portion of the collection of Fishes. The
greater number of specimens, preserved in spirit, is, however,
placed for safety in a detached building behind the Museum,
where they are available for study under special regulations. The

Gi

a”

     

   

eh bn ets A

 

ey

Fies. 19 & 20.—T'wo Derp-Sea Fisues (a. Gastrostomus bairdi and
b. Saccopharynx flagellum).

gallery contains mounted examples, models, and skeletons of
many of the more remarkable members of the class.

The wall-cases on the east side of the gallery (right on
entering) contain the fishes with completely bony skeletons

 

ae
Fic. 21.—Tue Sucner-Fisu (Echeneis remora).

(Teleostei) ; to which division belong by far the greater part of
the species now inhabiting the waters of the globe. Large and
remarkable examples are placed in separate cases opposite to
the wall-cases. As the colours of fishes are very fugitive, and
FISH GALLERY. 49

disappear more or less completely after
death, most of the mounted examples
have been painted. The fishes allied to
the Perch, Gurnard, Mackerel, Sword-
Fish, Wrasse, Cod, Plaice, Catfish,
Salmon, Pike, and Eel are represented
by numerous examples. Specially
noticeable, so far as external form is
concerned, are the Sunfishes, Ortha-
goriscus (fig. 18).

Even more strange are several of Deep-sea
the species of deep-sea Fishes exhibited Fe
in a table-case in the Fish gallery,
which live at depths where the sun’s
rays cannot penetrate, and are con-
sequently self-luminous. Two of these
are shown in the accompanying illus-
trations (figs. 19 and 20). From
another point of view, great interest is
concentrated on the Sucker-Fish or
Remora (Echenets remora), fig. 21, which
attaches itself by the sucker on
the top of its head to the bodies of

Fishes or Turtles, or to the bottom of
Fic. 22.—Lowrr VIEW oF

tar Heap or a Saw-FisH. ships.
(Pristis antiquorum.) The western or left side of the gallery

 

 

Fic, 23.—Tue Basgine Suark (Selache maxima).

is devoted to the exhibition of very different types of Fishes,
much more numerously represented in ancient times than at
E
Insect Gallery.

50 INSECT GALLERY.

present. The majority have a cartilaginous skeleton. Among
these may be specially mentioned the Bichir of the tropical
African rivers, the Gar-Pike of North America, the Sturgeons,
the Lung-Fishes (Dipnoi) of South America, Africa, and
Australia, the Chimeras, and finally the Sharks and Rays.
Among the two latter are included the singular Hammer-
headed Shark (Zygena), and the Saw-Fishes (Pristis), which
have a long projecting flattened snout, with a row of teeth
arranged something like those of a saw on each side (fig. 22).
A remarkably large specimen from the coast of British Guiana
of a species of this group (Pristis perrotteti) is exhibited.
Another very small division of Fishes comprises the Lampreys
and Hags, of which a few specimens are shown.

The largest exhibited specimen of the class is the head of a
full-grown example of the Great Basking Shark (Selache [or
Cetorhinus| maxima, fig. 23), captured on the 2nd of March, 1875,
near Shanklin, in the Isle of Wight. The length of the
entire specimen was twenty-eight feet, but, as the minute size
of the teeth indicate, it is a comparatively harmless animal.
A smaller female specimen is suspended from the roof; and
below this is placed a model of the skeleton of the same species,
Near by is a young specimen of another Basking Shark
(Lhinodon typicus), which when adult is said to attain a length
of at least fifty feet. It inhabits the Indian and Pacific Oceans.

Models of some of the more remarkable types of Extinct
Fishes are exhibited in one of the cases on the same side of the
gallery.

II. A small gallery is devoted to the group of Arthropoda or
Invertebrate animals with jointed limbs, such as Lobsters,
Crabs, Spiders, Centipedes, and Insects.

At the south end of this gallery are exhibited specimens of
Crabs and Lebsters. Among the former, special attention may
be directed to the specimens of the Giant Crab (Macrochira) of
Japan, and also to the Cocoanut Crab (Birgus latro, fig. 24), which
feeds on young cocoanuts, and is related to the Hermit-Crabs.
In the central table-cases, besides Crustacea (Crabs, Lobsters,
etc.), are displayed the Scorpions and Spiders, including several
examples of the large Bird-eating Spiders.

The northern half of the gallery is devoted to the exhibited
INSECT GALLERY. 5]

series of Insects. Next to the door on the east side are the
nests of White Ants or Termites, while on the opposite side
are some remarkable cocoons of social caterpillars of various
moths, and also a series of preparations showing the
metamorphoses or changes undergone by Insects as they grow
to maturity. At the sides of the gallery are models of various

 

Fie. 24.—Tue Cocoanut Cras (Birgus latro).

galls, with drawings of the insects which cause them; and
others showing the life-histories of certain Beetles, Bees,
and Moths. Beyond these, on the west side, are two large
cabinets containing a collection of British Butterflies and
Moths with their caterpillars, prepared and presented by Lord
Walsingham; and next to this stands a cabinet containing
another collection of the Butterflies and Moths of our islands
E 2
Reptile
Gallery.

52 REPTILE GALLERY.

formed by the late Mr. William Buckler, most of the specimens
being those bred by him in the course of the preparation of his
“Larve of British Butterflies and Moths.” Above these are
four maps illustrating the geographical distribution of certain
Beetles (Calosoma, Oarabus, Julodis and Stigmodera), the actual
specimens being placed in position on the maps. The wall-
cases at the end of the gallery are devoted exclusively to the
nests of Ants, Wasps, and Bees. On the east wall is a large
case containing specimens and drawings explaining the
structure of Insects. Beneath this are cabinets containing a
selection of British Insects (exclusive of Lepidoptera), and also
a small series of foreign Butterflies. It is proposed that the
Moths and other Insects shall follow in the next cabinet as soon
as they can be arranged. Near these are exhibited a few
coloured drawings of some of the smallest Insects known,
namely the Mymaride, a group of minute parasitic Hymenoptera,
and above is a drawing of a common House-fly, enlarged in the
same proportion, thirty diameters, to show the contrast. A few
of the specimens themselves are placed in the microscope
below.

‘In the table-cases in the middle of the gallery will be
found specimens and illustrations showing some of the prin-
cipal families of Insects, with explanations of the characters
by which they may be recognised. The first case (next to the
west door) contains an introductory series, and then follow the
various orders in sequence commencing with the most
primitive forms or Aptera, among which Campodea, a small
British insect, should be specially noticed.

These table-cases are still under arrangement. The Moths
now in the cases in the middle of the room will be removed.
The classification of the Butterflies, the Bees and Ants, and
the Beetles are shown in the last three cases. The main
collection of insects is kept in cabinets in the “Insect Room’
in the basement, but is open to students under the regulations
mentioned at the end of this guide.

III. The large Reptile gallery contains mounted specimens
and skeletons of Reptiles, including Crocodiles, Lizards, Snakes,
and Tortoises, as well as restorations or casts of the remains
of many groups now entirely extinct. The most noticeable
REPTILE GALLERY. 53

specimen in this gallery is the model of the skeleton of the
gigantic extinct North American land Reptile known as Dip-
lodocus carnegit, which measures over eighty feet in length.
It was presented by Mr. A. Carnegie in 1905.

The Crocodiles and their extinct relatives occupy the cases
on the left of the entrance from the Bird gallery and also
a stand in the middle of the gallery; among them
may be specially noticed the Indian Gharial, of which both
the skeleton and skin are exhibited. The two small cases
on each side of the west doorway are occupied by extinct forms
and the peculiar Tuatera Lizard of New Zealand. At the south
end of the east side are_arranged the Turtles and Tortoises,
including examples of the Giant Tortoises of the Galapagos and

 

<a» i - SS rst
Fic. 25.—Tue SappLe-BackeD Giant Tortorse (Testudo abingdont),
or ABINGDON IsLaAND, GALAPAGOS GROUP.

Mascarene Islands (fig. 25). Opposite the Turtles and Tortoises
are the Snakes, among which the two large Pythons, coloured to
nature, form attractive exhibits. Extinct groups occupy the
two small cases on each side of the east door. Beyond these
come the Lizards, which occupy the cases opposite the Croco-
diles. The fine series of Old World Monitor Lizards and
American Iguanas are specially noteworthy. Casts of remains
of the extinct marine Ichthyosaurs and Plesiosaurs are shown
in the small cases on the sides of the doorway in the east wall.

In the Reptile gallery is placed a large table-case Amphibians
containing a selection of the more important forms of eo.
Amphibians, which are divided into such as possess a tail:
Salamanders and Newts; and into those without tails: Frogs
Star-Fish
Gallery.
(See Special
Guide, price
6d.)

54 STAR-FISH GALLERY.

and Toads. All these animals live during some period of their
existence in the water, when they breathe by gills, and are in
this respect akin to fishes. The comparatively enormous size
attained by certain tropical species of Frogs and Toads, such as
the South American Horned Frog (fig. 26), should be noticed.
The largest representative of the group is the Giant Salamander
of Japan and China.

IV. A small gallery is called the Star-Fish gallery, from being
specially devoted to Star-Fishes and their allies—the Ecuino-

 

Fic. 26 —Tur Hornen Froe (Ceratophrys cornutus).

DERMA; these are arranged systematically in table-cases 1-6,
and in case 7 there are specimens illustrating the anatomy
of the skeleton, and models and figures descriptive of the
remarkable changes undergone by these animals in the course of
their development. A nearly - complete example of a
Brittle-star (Ophiomastix) may be noticed, and on the tops
of cases 5 and 6 are examples of Diadema and Echinus.
In a separate case on the east side of the gallery is
Luidia savignei from Mauritius, one of the largest of known
Star-fishes. The Feather-stars (Comatula) are also members of
STAR-FISH GALLERY. 55

this group. The most beautiful and remarkable specimens in
the gallery are the Sea-Lilies, or Stalked Crinoids, collected
by the “Challenger” Expedition. One specimen was found
attached to an old telegraph-wire taken up in the Caribbean Sea.
These deep-sea forms, so abundant in earlier periods of the

 

Fic. 27—A Sra-Lity, THe LARVAL sTAGE OF THE
FEATHER-STAR (Antedon roseus). a, arms; b, basals; +, radials; s, stalk.

world’s history, are exhibited on tables in the corners of the
gallery, by case 7. Some of the stalked kinds (fig. 27) are
merely the larval stages of the Feather-stars.

The wall-cases contain representatives of the various and di
verse groups brigaded together as Worms or VERMES. Case 1 con-
tains the Tape-Worms or Cestoda, and the Flukes or Trematoda,
Shell Gallery.

56 SHELL GALLERY.

the life-history of a species of each being illustrated by specimens,
figures, and models. In case 2 the Round-Worms are illustrated
by models of Z'richina, and the anatomical structure of various

‘other kinds is shown by the aid of diagrams. Case 3 contains

the free-living terrestrial and marine Worms, the Leeches, and
Gephyreans. Case 4 is devoted to specimens of Echinoderms

 

Fie. 28.—Tar Common WuHELK (Buccinum undatum), a Gastropod Mollusc.
a, siphon; b, foot; c, tentacles; d, eyes; e, operculum.

 

Fie. 29.—Lerr Vatve or THe Giant Ciam (Tridacna gigantea),
a Bivalve Molluse.
(Length, 86 inches; weight, 154 lbs.; weight of the two valves, 310 lbs.)

preserved in spirit, especially Holothurians, such as Trepangs
or Sea-Cucumbers, the Béche-de-Mer of the French.

V. A large gallery is devoted to the extensive group of
Shell-fish or Mouuusca, the exhibition of which is, however,
mainly restricted to their shells. In some cases the form of
the “animal” itself is shown either by specimens in spirit or
by means of models.
SHELL GALLERY. 57

The collection is contained in four parallel rows of table-
cases, the arrangement commencing on the right as the gallery
is entered. The first two rows contain the marine forms of
Gastropods—a division which includes Snails, Slugs, Whelks
(fig. 28), and all those Molluses which crawl upon the under
surface of their bodies ; the Cones, Volutes, Mitras, and Murexes
forming some of the most attractive groups. The two rows of cases
on the left contain the Land-Shells, Bivalves, and Cephalopods.
The Cockles, Oysters, Clams, Piddocks, Teredos, Scallops, and
Ark-Shells represent some of the principal types of Bivalves,
so called on account of their shells being formed of two pieces
or valves. A Giant Clam (fig. 29), on the floor of the gallery,

 

Fic. 30.—Tue Prarty Navriivus (Nautilus pompilius).
a, body; b, siphuncle; cv, eye; d, hood; e, tentacles; /, muscle of attachment
to the shell; g, siphon.

weighs 310 lbs. The Argonaut, the beautiful Pearly Nautilus
(fig. 30), the Octopus, Squids, and Cuttlefishes are the chief kinds
of modern Cephalopods; but there are a number of fossil forms,
most of which are exhibited in the Geological Department.

In the same gallery are exhibited three other groups of marine Sea-Mats,
organisms, respectively known as Polyzoa, Brachiopoda, and cena
Tunicata. Many of the former live in colonies, and are squirts.
known as Sea-Mats. They are often mistaken for sea-weeds,
although they are really animals of high organisation. The
Brachiopods have two shells like bivalve Molluscs, only the
valves are dorsal and ventral—that is to say, back and front
—instead of right and left. One valve is frequently per-
forated; hence the name of “Lamp-shells.” Sea-squirts,
Whale Room.

58 WHALE ROOM.

Tunicates, or Ascidians, are worthy of the best attention of the
visitor, on account of their near affinity with the Vertebrate
stock, of which they may be regarded as a degenerate type. It
is in the larve that the evidence of vertebrate relationship is
most conspicuous, as is well shown in fig. 31, where the striking
resemblance between a Tadpole and a young Ascidian is dis-
played.

A fine series of very large shells and some interesting
Cuttlefishes, etc., in spirit occupy four upright cases at the sides
of the gallery, where are also placed some small table-cases
containing a selection of British shells, and series of the eggs

   

ee

ASCIDIAN

Fig. 31.—TappoLe oF a FroG AnD AN ASCIDIAN.
(From Lankester’s “ Degeneration.” )

of Molluscs and of the operculum, or plate, by means of which
the opening or mouth of the shell is closed in many species.
Specimens illustrating the formation of pearls, and other points
of special interest connected with Molluscs, are also displayed.

WHALE Room.

Approached by a staircase, leading from the last (or western-
most) of the passages which connect the Bird gallery with the
Coral gallery, is a separate room in which are placed the specimens
of Whale-like animals. For these, on account of their large size,
no other place could be found in the portion of the Museum
valleries already completed. The room has, unfortunately,
the disadvantage of being too small to display such
WHALE ROOM. 59

large animals to full advantage. It is also intersected by
columns, which interfere with the complete view of the larger
specimens.

As it is almost impracticable to preserve the skins of the
larger species of Whales, owing to the oil with which they
are saturated, the exhibition of the characters of these animals is
carried out by means of their skeletons and artificial models of
one side of the external form. Stuffed specimens of many of
the smaller kinds, are, however, shown. A general account of
the structure and classification of the Cetacea, with special
reference to those exhibited in this gallery, will be found in the
Guide to the Mammal Galleries.*

On the left side of the entrance is a case containing a stuffed Fresh-water
specimen, a skeleton, and several skulls of the Susu, or Fresh- a aa
water Dolphin (Platanista gangetica) of the rivers of India,
and also of the Dolphins of the Rio de la Plata (Pontoporia
blainvillet) and of the River Amazon (Inia geoffroyensis). Among
the specimens fronting the visitor as he enters the room, one of
the most interesting, on account of its remarkable dentition,
is the Narwhal, or Sea-Unicorn. It has only two teeth, which Narwhal.
lie horizontally in the upper jaw. In the female both remain
permanently concealed within the bone of the jaw, so that this
sex is practically toothless; but in the male, while the right
tooth remains similarly concealed and rudimentary (as shown
in the specimen, by removal of part of the bone which covered
it), the left is immensely developed, attaining a length equal to
that of half the entire animal, and projecting horizontally from
the head in the form of a long, straight, tapering and pointed
tusk, spirally grooved on the surface. In rare cases both teeth
are fully developed, as in the fine skull exhibited near the
skeleton, and it is noticeable that in such specimens the direc-
tion of the spiral is the same in both tusks.

To the right of the entrance is placed a specimen of the
bony framework of one of the most colossal of animals,
the Cachalot, or Sperm-Whale (Physeter macrocephalus), pre- Sperm-Whale.
pared from an old male cast ashore near Thurso, on the north
coast of Scotland, in July, 1863, on the estate of Capt. D.

* “Guide to the Galleries of Mammals in the Department of Zoology.”

Price sixpence.
60

 

Fic. 32.—Aw OLD Mae Sperm-WuHazeE or CacHator.
Skeleton and outline of animal: b, nostril or blowhole; p, rudimentary pelvic bone.

WHALE ROOM.

old males, now extremely rare, that the termination of the muzzle is as abrupt as here represented.)

(It is only in very

Macdonald, R.E., by whom it
was presented to the Museum.
Upon one side of this skeleton
has been built up the model of
the external form of the animal.
The Sperm-Whale is the prin-
cipal source of supply of the
sperm -oil and spermaceti of
commerce. The former is ob
tained by boiling the fat or
blubber lying beneath the skin
over the whole body; the
latter, in a liquid state at
the ordinary temperature of
the living animal, is contained
in cells which fill the immense
cavity on the top of the skull.
This Whale, which feeds chiefly
on Cephalopods (Squid and
Cuttlefish), as well as Fishes, is
widely distributed throughout
the warm and temperate regions
of both Atlantic and Pacific
Oceans. The skeleton is that
of a full-grown animal, and
measures fifty feet, one inch in
length, although wanting three
of the vertebree from the end
of the tail.

In order to render this
skeleton’ more instructive, the
names of the principal parts
have been attached to them.
This will enable the visitor
to trace at a glance the extra-
ordinary modifications in the
form and relations of its com-
ponent bones the huge skull
has undergone.
BRITISH MusEUM (NATURAL HISTORY).
First Floor.

veariariwa,
suare

 
    
   

RETURN EAST FRONT
Not yet Inalt

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Not yet built

      
  

West Corridor
Manunals. East Corridor

  

    

Introductions to the Study of Minerals and Rocks.

Mamrnals.

   

   

Minerals
Collection of Typical Rocks.

    
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Scale of Feet.

—4-—3-—

Tne Daneenrve:o Pruarivs (° be Loncow.
act, qh Sacpceta eae ete i
4 1 i
i t '
‘ :
i i
; i
i :
: :
, -
. i
t aca

RETURN EAST FRONT
Not yet halt

RETURN WEST FRONT
Not yet built

 

 

 

 
WHALE ROOM. 61

Most of the largest Cetacea belong to the group called Whalebone
“Whalebone Whales,” in which a series of horny plates wie
termed “whalebone” grow from the palate in place of teeth,
and serve to strain the water taken into the mouth from
the small marine animals on which these Whales subsist. A
fine representative of this group is the perfect skeleton
of the Common Rorqual or Fin-Whale (Balenoptera musculus)
in the south-west portion of the room. It is sixty-eight
feet long, and was captured in 1882 in the Moray Firth,
Scotland. The flukes of the tail and the back-fin were preserved
with the skeleton and are placed above the wall-case behind ;
the small pelvic bones, and a rudimentary nodule representing
the femur or thigh-bone, the only trace of the hind leg of this
gigantic animal, are also preserved. The external form is
modelled in plaster. In front is a skeleton and half-model of
the Black or Biscay Right-Whale (Balena biscayensis). Beyond
this skeleton stands a skull of the Greenland Right-Whale
(Balena mysticetus), the species which yields most of the
“whalebone” of commerce, and also a small wooden model of
the entire animal, on the scale of one inch to the foot.

Remains of extinct Cetaceans—notably the solid bony beaks
of the skulls of the Beaked-Whales (Ziphiine) from the Red
Crag of the east coast of England—are placed in this gallery.
A special table-case, near the Sperm-Whale, shows the curious
ear-bones of various Cetaceans, both recent and fossil. These
bones are alone perfectly sufficient to identify the kind of
whale from which they were taken. In a case on the opposite
side of the gallery is displayed the curious horny wart found
on the nose of the Biscay Right-Whale, termed by sailors
the “ bonnet.”

First FLoor.

The upper floors of the wings of the Museum consist only
of single galleries extending along the whole front of the
building; the galleries which run backwards on the ground
floor forming only a single story.
Lower
Mammal
Gallery.

62 LOWER MAMMAL GALLERY.

The lower Mammal gallery is entered from the western
corridor of the central hall. Together with the adjacent
corridor it contains the greater part of the exhibited series of
recent Mammals, with the exception of the Cetacea, Sirenia, and
Proboscidea; the orders Primates, Chiroptera, and Insectivora
being in the upper gallery. As two special guides* are devoted
to these galleries, a very brief notice will serve on this occasion.
Both stuffed specimens and skulls and skeletons are exhibited,
although the former constitute by far the greater portion of
the series. A few remains of extinct types, or plaster repro-
duction of the same, are introduced here and there; and
photographs of living animals are hung on the walls, where

  

 

 

Fig. 33.—Tue Puatypus or Doucg-BiLu (Ornithorhynchus anatinus).

will also be found some instructive series showing the modi-
fications assumed by the teeth of certain groups. Wherever
possible, the horns and antlers of the Ruminants, as well as
the horns of the Rhinoceroses, are placed in juxtaposition to
the animals to which they respectively belong.

The series commences on the right side of the gallery with
the lowest forms. Down the middle is a row of large Mammals,
comprising various Deer, Seals, and Rhinoceroses. On the right
of the entrance a small case contains the Platypus or Duck-bill
(fig. 33) and Echidnas of Australia and New Guinea, which lay
eggs, and are the lowest of all living Mammals. In the adjacent
bay are the Marsupials, such as the Kangaroos, Phalangers,

* “Guide to the Galleries of Mammals” and “Guide to Great Game
(Ungulates).”
LOWER MAMMAL GALLERY. 63

Wombats, and Bandicoots of Australasia, and the Opossums of
America. The second bay on the same side contains the so-called
Edentate Mammals, such as Sloths, Ant-eaters, Armadillos,

 

Fig. 34.—Tae YELLOW-BELLIED [a (Manis tricuspis) in a characteristic
attitude.
Ruminants,
ete.

64 LOWER MAMMAL GALLERY.

Pangolins (fig. 34), and the Aard-vark. The Sea-Cows,
as represented by the Dugong and Manatee, are shown in the
Geological Department. In the third bay are the Pigs and
Hippopotamuses; in the fourth the Camels, and near by the
Chevrotains, or Mouse-Deer. Following on are the Deer (Cer-
vide), many of which, as already stated, are placed in the
middle line of the gallery. Properly speaking, the Giraffes
and their recent and extinct allies, the former represented by

 

a aang He,

Fig. 35.—Mate Pronepuck on ProncHorn ANTELOPE (Antilocapra americana).

the Okapi of Central Africa (fig. 13, p. 37), should come in here.
But, as already mentioned, it has been found convenient to re-
move all the members of the Giraffe group into the east corridor.
In the adjacent wall-case stands the Prongbuck or Pronghorn
Antelope (Antilocapra, fig. 35), the sole representative of a
family characterised by the circumstance that the horns have
hollow sheaths, which are branched and shed annually. Next in
order come the Antelopes, a large number of which are placed in
LOWER MAMMAL GALLERY.

the corridors outside the
gallery. This series, it
may be remarked, is
particularly fine, and, in
fact, unique. At the
last bay on the right side
of the gallery the visitor
reaches the Goats; and
in the “ pavilion,” at the
west end of the gallery,
he comes to the Sheep,
Musk-Oxen, and Oxen,
of which there is a mag-
nificent display, both as
regards mounted speci-
mens and horns. Many
of the cases in the middle
of the gallery and the
bays have been fitted
with artificial ground-
work, one of the most
striking being the Rein-
deer case, for which the
materials were brought
from Norway.
Continuing our survey
down the left side of the
gallery, the bay next the
pavilion and an adjacent
case contain the Zebras
and Wild Asses, among
which is a specimen
of the extinct Quagga.
Following this are the
Rhinoceroses and Tapirs,
some of the former being
exhibited in the middle
of the gallery. Adult
specimens of all the

 

a
ot

Fic. 36.—Hezaps or BurcHE.i’s ok WHITE RainocERos (Rhinoceros simus) (a), Common or Buaok Rurnoogros (R. bicornis) (b),

AND Great Invian Rarnoceros (2. wnicornis) (c).
Hyraxes.

66 LOWER MAMMAL GALLERY.

living species except the one-horned Rhinoceros sondaicus of Java
are exhibited. The cut (fig. 36) on page 65 shows the form of the
head and the number of the horns in three members of the group.

   
   

a een nw SS
Se ee ) LE
ee =o facaRR e

= — — een ee —~a

—

Fie. 37.—Mae anp FEMALE oF THE NORTHERN Fur-SEAL,
or Sea-Bear (Otaria ursina). (After Elliott.)

Fig. 38.—Maz ELepHant-Seal, or Sea-ELepaant (Macrorhinus leoninus).

In a small case by themselves are exhibited the Hyraxes
(the Coneys of Scripture), which represent by themselves a
subordinal group of Ungulates. In this place should come
the Elephants (Proboscidea), but it has been found advisable to
UPPER MAMMAL GALLERY. 67

exhibit the living members of this group alongside their extinct
relatives in the Geological Department and in the central hall.

The third bay contains a portion of the series of Gnawing
Mammals or Rodents (Hares, Rats, Squirrels, &c.), which also
occupy the whole of the adjacent bay. Next in order follow
the Seals, Walruses, and Sea-Bears (fig. 37); and after these,
again, the land Carnivora. Among the former, particular atten-
tion may be directed to the gigantic Elephant-Seal (fig. 38)
from the Macquarie Islands, presented by the Hon. Walter

   

Fig. 39.—Tnre Great Panna (Zluropus melanoleucus).

Rothschild, and also to the various smaller Southern Seals,
obtained during the “ Discovery ” Expedition, in the same case.
Among the land Carnivora, the visitor may specially notice the
huge Brown Bear from Alaska, the rare Great Panda (fig. 39)
of Eastern Tibet, and the case of Tigers, where both the long-
haired Manchurian and the short-coated Indian race are shown.

SECOND FLoor.

The portion of the gallery on this floor in the western Upper

wing of the building open to the public, contains _ of the gallery:
68 UPPER MAMMAL GALLERY.

Mammalian orders (apart from the Cetacea) as are not shown in
the lower gallery. In the centre, on entering, as well as in the
first wall-case on the right, is displayed a fine series of Bats,
some stuffed, and others in spirit. In the second wall-case are
the Insect-eating Mammals (Insectivora), such as Shrews, Moles,
Hedgehogs, &. Next come the Lemurs, and then the Monkeys
and Apes, the greater number of the latter being exhibited in the

 

Fic. 40.—A Mate Goriuta (Anthropopithecus gorilla).
(From Flower and Lydekker, “The Study of Mammals.”)

large case in the middle of the gallery. Among the more striking
specimens may be mentioned the fine series of Gorillas (fig. 40)
and Chimpanzees, and the Proboscis and Snub-nosed Monkeys.

The whole of the left side of this gallery is devoted to
Anthropology, that is to say, to the study of the zoological
characters of the different races of Mankind; the series in-
cluding busts, skeletons, skulls, and portraits.
FOSSIL MAMMAL GALLERY. 69

At the west end of the portion of this gallery open to the
public stands an instructive and interesting case exhibiting
many of the structural differences distinguishing the Man-like
Apes from Man himself; and also showing different types of
human skulls and the method of meastiring the same. On the
adjacent screens and partitions are diagrams, photographs,
and sketches illustrating hand and finger prints, identification
by means of the latter, “palmistry,” &c.

EAST WING.

GROUND FLoor.

The ground floor of this wing consists, as on the other side of Fossil
the building, of a gallery running west and east the whole length lection.
of the wing in front, of a smaller parallel gallery behind it, and
leading from the latter a series of galleries running north and
south. With the exception of a certain number of recent
skeletons introduced for comparison, and most of the series of
specimens of Elephants and Sirenians, or Sea-Cows, the whole
of this floor is occupied by the collection of the remains of
animals and plants which flourished in geological periods
previous to that in which we are now living. Some of these
belong to species still existing upon the earth, but the great
majority are extinct. They are arranged mainly upon zoological
principles, that is, the groups which are believed to have natural
affinities are placed together; but within some of the great
divisions thus mapped out, especially of the Invertebrata and
Plants, it has been found convenient to adopt a stratigraphical
or even geographical grouping, the fossils of different geological
formations being kept apart, and those of the British Isles
separated from those of foreign localities.

This portion of the Museum is more fully described in the
Illustrated Guides * than is possible in the present work.

* “Guide to the Exhibition Galleries of the Department of Geology and

Paleontology.” Part I. Mammals and Birds; price sixpence. Part II.
Reptiles, Amphibians, and Fishes, Northern Galleries; price sixpence.
Elephants,
Sea-Cows,
and Extinct
Mammals.

70 FOSSIL MAMMAL GALLERY,

The front gallery first entered from the hall is devoted to
Elephants, Sea-Cows, and Extinct Mammals. Along the centre
are placed a number of large and striking objects, of too great
size to be contained in the wall-cases. The first is a nearly
complete skeleton of the American Mastodon (fig. 41), an
animal closely allied to the Elephants, from which it is chiefly
distinguished by the characters of its molar teeth. This is
followed by a mounted skeleton of the existing Indian Elephant
(Hlephas maximus) A mounted specimen of the same

 

Fie. 41.—SxeLeron or American Masropon (Mastodon americanus).

species, brought home from India by His Majesty the King
when Prince of Wales, stands near by. Against the south
wall is fixed a magnificent head of the African elephant
(£. africanus); while near by are displayed some large tusks
of both species. Further down the gallery is the skull of
an extinct Elephant (#. ganesa)—remarkable for the im-
mense length of its tusks—from the Siwalik Hills of
India; and another of the Mammoth (Z. primigenius), with
huge curved tusks, in a perfect state of preservation, found in
the brick-earth at Ilford in Essex. Then follow skeletons of
FOSSIL MAMMAL GALLERY. 71

the great extinct Irish Deer (Cervus giganteus), male and female,
the former distinguished by its magnificent spreading antlers,
resembling those of a Fallow Deer on a large scale.

The next central case is occupied by the skulls and portions
of jaws of a remarkable horned and hoofed quadruped, Arsinéi-
thertum (fig. 42), from the Upper Eocene of the Fayum, Egypt.

 

Fig. 42.—SKuuu of Arsinditherium aittelé, from the Upper Eocene strata of the
Fayum, Egypt. The skull is three feet long.

It belongs to an ancient group perhaps related to the ancestors
of the Elephants.
Equally peculiar is the Toxodon (fig. 43) of the Pampas of 8.
America, of which a model of an entire skeleton is exhibited.
Near by is placed a model of a skeleton of the Dinoceras
(fig. 44), one of the most remarkable of the many wonderful
forms of animal life discovered in the Tertiary beds of the
TOXODON.

72

Cezis [enysuU Y}U9074STe-o40 ynoqy) ‘wUTUESIY JO WoeMI0, seduvg oY} WoL,

“(s2suajn)d wopoxoy,) NOGOXO], HL dO NOLATTUS—'SF “OL

 
FOSSIL MAMMAL GALLERY. 73

western portion of the United States of America. This animal
combines in some respects the characters of a Rhinoceros with
those of an Elephant, and has others altogether special to itself.
The group to which it belonged became extinct in the Miocene
period, without leaving any successors.

   
  

(One-thirticth natural size.) From the Eocene of

Wyoming, U.S.A.

Fig. 44.—SKELETON OF Dinoorras.

Near the pavilion is a skeleton (fig. 45) of a recently sea-cows.
extinct and interesting animal, the Northern Sea-Cow (Rhytina
gigas or stelleri), the last resort of which was Bering Island
in the North Pacific, where it was completely exter-
minated towards the close of the eighteenth century.
74 FOSSIL MAMMAL GALLERY.

In the same case is placed the skeleton of a smaller allied animal,
the Halitheriwm, from the Miocene of South Germany. These,
with their existing representatives,

the Manatee and Dugong, constitute io
the order Sirenia, aquatic Mammals Af
of fish-like form, presenting con- 4
siderable external resemblance to :
Cetacea (the Whales and Dolphins), 2

although differing in many points of
structure and habit. All the speci-, x
mens are shown in this gallery.
Fossilremains The wall-cases on the south side
ob Man, (right on entering) contain typical
series of chipped and polished flint
implements of human workman-
ship, and also remains of Man
found under circumstances which
may justify the appellation of
“ fossil,” in caves or in Pleistocene
deposits, associated with the bones
of animals either completely or
locally extinct. Then follow in
systematic order the bones and
teeth of the other Primates, the
Carnivora, Ungulata, and Sirenia.
The greater part of the north
side of the gallery is devoted to the
exhibition of the remains of Pro-
boscidea (Dinotheres, Mastodons,
and Elephants), as well as teeth
and skulls of the two existing
species of Elephants. The fore-
runners of the Proboscidea from
the Eocene strata of Egypt, as
represented by Palewomastodon and
Meritherium, are also of special
interest. Attention may likewise
be directed to the skull of the
gigantic Ruminant Stvatheriwm

       

Sas
Sy LF &

=v

=

ey
ff
te

(Length of original specimen, 19 fcet 6 inches.)

Ss

fi

3)

oo
meeak ck,

Fig, 45.—SkELETON OF THE NorTHERN Sra-Cow (Khytina gigas or stellert), From Bering Island.

<a

CI Geen £
FOSSIL MAMMAL GALLERY. 75

(fig. 46), from the Siwalik deposits of India, an ally of the
African Okapi (p. 37), with which it is connected by Hellado-
theriwm of the Grecian Tertiary deposits. Another allied type
is Tragoceros, or Samotheriwm, from the Isle of Samos, of which
a skull (fig. 47) is exhibited.

In the “pavilion,” or large room at the end of the gallery,
are skeletons and bones of the Mammals of the order Edentata,
mostly from South America, including some fine specimens of
the great Ground-Sloths, the largest of which, the Megatherium, is
shown in the act of rearing itself on its hind-legs and powerful

 

Fic. 46.—Sxvuu or Sivatherium giganteuwm, an extinct Ruminant from the
Pliocene Deposits of the Siwalik Hills, India.

tail to seize and tear down the branches of a tree in order to
feed upon the leaves. That this was the habit of this huge
animal is clearly indicated by the structure of its bones and
teeth. The mounted specimen is not an actual skeleton, but is
composed of plaster casts of the real bones, most of which are
in the wall-case at the north side of the room. Of the Mylodon,
a smaller but nearly allied form, an almost perfect skeleton
is exhibited in a glass case near the Megatherium. Close by is
a portion of the skin of one of these animals (Grypotherium listat),
from a cave in Patagonia, showing the hair, and also the nodules
of bone with which the inner surface is studded. Not far off is
Extinct Birds.

76 FOSSIL MAMMAL GALLERY.

the Glyptodon, a huge extinct Armadillo, enclosed in a
solid barrel-like bony case. As these animals far surpassed in
size their diminutive existing representatives, so the gigantic
Marsupials of the corresponding period in Australia (Pleistocene,
or latest Tertiary), the Diprotodon and Nototherium, remains
of which are shown in this room, greatly exceeded any
of the species now existing on that continent. On the other
hand, all the Mammals of the earlier geological periods
of which remains are known, are of diminutive size, as seen
in the very interesting series, mostly from the Purbeck (Upper
Oolite) beds of Dorset and the Stonesfield Slate (Great Oolite)

 

Fig. 47.—Sxuiu or Tragoceros, on Samotherium, boissiert, an extinct
Okapi-like Ruminant from the Pliocene strata of Samos.

of Oxfordshire, exhibited in the centre window-case on the
east side of the room.

The south side of this room (right on entering) is chiefly
devoted to the remains of extinct Birds, including the famous
Lizard-tailed Bird (Archwopteryx) of the Solenhofen beds of
Bavaria (fig. 48), the oldest known member of the class, presenting
many reptile-like characters, but with well-developed feathers
on the wings and tail, the impressions of which are beautifully
preserved in the specimen. A series of skeletons of the “ Moas,”
or Dinornithide, of New Zealand, birds in which no trace of a
wing has been discovered, shows the diversity in size of different
members of the group, some far exceeding any existing Ostrich,
FOSSIL BIRDS, 77

 

Fie 48.—Tue Lizarp-Taibep Birp (Archexopteryx macrura), FROM THE
Upper Jurassic (Liruocraputc Stone), or SOLENHOFEN, BAVARIA.
(About one-fourth natural size.)
Extinct
Reptiles.

78 FOSSIL REPTILE GALLERY,

while others are scarcely larger than a good-sized Turkey. Some
of these remains are so recent as still to be covered with dried
skin, and even feathers. Several eggs are also shown; but, large
as these are, they are greatly exceeded in size by those of the
Roc (4pyornis) from Madagascar, in the south-east corner of
the room. The skull and certain other remains of a gigantic
extinct bird, Phororhachos, from Patagonia are also shown in
this room. These birds appear to have been allied to the
existing South American Ceriema.

The long gallery north of the fossil Mammal saloon con-
tains a fine assemblage of Reptilian remains. The south side

 

WE,

Fie, 49—SKELETON or THE IavaNoDoN (greatly reduced),
a Biped Dinosaur from the Wealden of Belgium.

is devoted to the Great Sea-Lizards (Sauropterygia and Ichthyo-
pterygia), mostly from the Lias formation. The skeleton of an
Ichthyosaur from the Lias is shown in fig. 50. Two nearly
perfect skeletons of Plesiosaurians from the Oxford Clay are
mounted in cases in this gallery. Ranged in the cases on
the north side are remains of the gigantic Dinosaurs, which
far exceeded in size any other land-animals. A mounted
plaster cast of a complete skeleton of an Iguanodon (fig. 49),
found (with many others) in the Wealden strata at Bernissart
in Belgium, is a conspicuous object in the middle of the
PUNY bt iiu UAUUII, 79

  
     

th
|
ey ey shall

 

 

 

Fig. 50.—SKELETON oF AN IcuTHYOsAUR (Ichthyosaurus tenutrostris).
From the Lias of Somersetshire. (About one-tenth natural size.)
80 FOSSIL REPTILE GALLERY.

room; the original being in the Brussels Natural History

Museum.

Nearly allied to the gigantic Iguanodon is the diminutive

Fig. 51—SxKELETon or Brontosaurus ingens, A FOUR-FOOTED DINOSAUR FROM THE JURASSIC
FORMATION OF N. AMERICA. (z$, natural size.)

 

Hypsilophodon foxi, of which
remains are also found in
the Wealden formation of
the Isle of Wight. Both
habitually walked in the up-
right posture on their three-
toed hind-limbs. In the centre
of this gallery is placed a large
portion of the skeleton of a
gigantic Dinosaur (Cetiosaurus
leedsi) from the Upper Jurassic
Oxford Clay near Peter-
borough. This Dinosaur is
nearly allied to the North
American Diplodocus, of which,
as mentioned above, the model
of a complete skeleton is ex-
hibited in the recent Reptile
Gallery (see page 52). Both
Cetiosaurus and Diplodocus re-
sembled Brontosaurus (fig. 51)
in the extremely small size of
their skulls.

At the eastern end of the
gallery are the Pterosauria
or .Ornithosauria, commonly
called Pterodactyles or Flying
Reptiles, of which the most
gigantic representatives were
the species of Pteranodon
from the Upper Cretaceous
of Kansas (fig. 52). At the
west end is the nearly

complete skeleton of Pariasaurus (fig. 53) from the Karoo
formation (Trias) of South Africa, one of the most remark-
able of fossil Reptiles, which also occurs in Russia. It
FOSSIL FISHES AND CEPHALOPODS. 81

belongs to a primitive section of the Theromorphs, or
Anomodonts, which include the ancestors of Mammals,

Of the galleries running northwards from the Fossil Reptile
gallery, the one nearest to the central hall is entirely devoted
to the display of the enormous collection of Fossil Fishes. A
great proportion of the oldest of these belong to groups now
quite extinct. Perhaps the most remarkable of all, and cer-
tainly those most unlike existing forms, are the armoured
Devonian Fishes known as Cephalaspis, Pterichthys (fig. 54),
&c. In the figure of the latter letters are placed on the various
plates of armour, as well as on other parts of the body. The
explanation of these will be found in the “Guide to Fossil
Fishes.”

 

Fic. 52.—A Giant PreropactTy.e (Pteranodon occidentalis) rRomM THE CRETACEOUS OF
Kansas. (Original span about 18 feet.) Compare the wing which is supported
by the outermost finger with that of the Bat in Fig. 7.

The next contains the Cephalopods, a group of Molluscs
abounding in extinct species, of which the Belemnites, Turrilites
(fig. 55), and Ammonites (fig. 56) are some of the best-known.
The form and structure of their nearest living representatives,
the various species of Cuttle-fishes, Squids, Argonauts, and
Nautilus (fig. 30, page 54) are illustrated by models and
drawings and specimens placed near the entrance of the gallery
and along the top-line of the wall-cases. The third gallery Extinct
contains the remaining Molluscs and Brachiopods; the Echino- [nventebrates
derms, Worms, and Crustaceans; the fourth, the Corals, Sponges,
Protozoa, and Fossil Plants. In these last two galleries the
British specimens are placed in the table-cases, and those of
foreign origin in the cases round the walls,

G
Cassa] ‘OZ(8 [VIN}BU YJWIOPINOJ-9U0 quoq Vy) ‘SQUOVSVINVYG JO NOLATAMS—'EG “DIA

 

 

 

 
HISTORICAL COLLECTIONS. 83

Among numerous other groups which cannot be mentioned
great interest attaches to the Trilobites (fig. 57) of the Paleozoic
epoch. These creatures are related to the King-Crabs of the
Moluccas, and both have affinity with the Scorpions.

Very extensive is the collection of Fossil Plants from the
Coal-Measures, among which Lepidodendron and Sigillaria,
as well as numerous kinds of fern-like leaves, are among the
most common.

The fifth gallery is set apart for the reception of certain

 

Fig. 54.—Urprr (A) anp Lower (B) Surraces or PrericutHys,
AN ARMOURED DEVONIAN Fisu.

special collections of historical interest, either from the circum-
stances under which they were formed or came into possession
of the Museum, or from their containing a large number of type
specimens described and figured in various publications. Hence
it has been considered undesirable to break up and disperse
these among the general collection. They include the original
collection formed by William Smith, the pioneer of geology in
this country, the Searles Wood Collection of Crag Mollusca,
the Edwards Collection of Eocene Mollusca, the Davidson
G2

Historical
Collections.
British
Stratigraphi-
cal collection.

84 HISTORICAL AND STRATIGRAPHICAL GALLERY.

Collection of Brachiopods, the types of Sowerby’s “ Mineral
Conchology,” and lastly, but not least in interest, specimens

from the collection of Sir Hans Sloane, which was the nucleus

of the whole Museum.

In the wall-cases on the west side of this gallery is exhibited
a stratigraphical collection, showing a series of rock-specimens,

Bp

Ue

Py
FS
PF}

cor

 

Fic. 56.—An Ammontrez,
FROM THE OOLITE.

 

Fig. 55.—A Turriuire,
FROM THE CHALE.

 

 

Fie. 57.—A Trinopire, From THE LowrR CAMBRIAN OF SHROPSHIRE,

often with their included fossil remains, representing the
various geological formations of the British Isles, arranged in
the order of their sequence in time, commencing near the
entrance door with the most recent, and gradually passing
down to the most ancient fossil-bearing strata. Along the top
of the case is displayed a running section of all the water-formed
MINERAL GALLERY. 85

rocks of England in the order of their succession, each bed
being distinctively coloured, and named to correspond with the
actual specimens placed beneath. The stratigraphical collec-
tion is followed by some illustrations of rock-formation, and
certain rock-structures simulating fossils. On the east side
are exhibited additional specimens of marine Reptiles from the
Lias and a series of foot-prints of Reptiles from the Trias of
N. America and the New Red Sandstone of England, &c.

First Foor.

The gallery on this floor, entered from the south end of gauery of
the east corridor of the hall, contains the extensive Mineral Mimerals.
collections, a fuller description of which will be found in
special guides.*

Entering the gallery the visitor will find, in the first window- Introductory
case on the left-hand side, a series of specimens selected and Sllections.
labelled to serve as an introduction to the study of minerals.
Beginning with a definition of what is meant by a mineral, it
shows how essential characters were gradually recognised,
and how minerals are distributed into kinds and classified.

In the next three window-cases specimens are arranged to
illustrate the characters of minerals and the various terms
used in their description.

In the remaining six window-cases on the same side of the Rooks.
gallery, a corresponding series of specimens illustrative of the
characters of rocks is exhibited; and the eleven window-cases
on the opposite side contain a collection illustrating the various
kinds of rocks. ,

In the table-cases of the gallery are exhibited specimens of General
every mineral species and variety preserved in the Museum. eee oe
The cases containing this general collection are numbered from
1 to 41, and the eight panes of each case are severally dis-

* “ Guide to the Mineral Gallery.” Price one penny. “ Introduction to the
Study of Minerals, with a Guide to the Mineral Gallery.” Price sixpence.
¢ “Introduction to the Study of Rocks.” Price sixpence.
Native
Elements.

Sulphides,

86 MINERAL GALLERY.

tinguished by the letters a to h. For the use of the student
there is published an Index to the names of all the numerous
mineral species and varieties represented in the collection,
with references to the table-cases in which the specimens are
placed.*

The system of classification, which includes not only ores,
but all known minerals, is not easy for a general visitor to
follow, and it is thus convenient to indicate here the positions
in the gallery of those minerals—as, for instance, precious and
ornamental stones, and metallic ores—which have an interest
for all; for details, reference must be made to the Mineral
Guide. Most of these minerals occur in crystals, the forms of

 

Fic. 58.—TuHEe Cotenso Diamonp, From SoutH AFRICA.
Presented by Professor John Ruskin. (Natural size.)

which were at one time supposed to be modifications of six
chief types.

I. In cases 1 and 2 are the pure metals, as Copper, Silver,
Gold, and Platinum; and non-metals, as Sulphur, Graphite,
and Diamond. The large symmetrical South African “ Colenso”
Diamond (fig. 58), weighing 130 carats, presented by the late
Professor Ruskin, is worthy of special attention (case 1g).

IL. The next six cases contain minerals which have mostly a
metallic lustre and consist of metals in chemical combination
with elements of the sulphur or arsenic groups.

Argentite (8d) is an important silver-ore, containing 87 per
cent. of silver and 13 of sulphur.

Blende (4b) is a valuable zinc-ore, and contains 67 per cent.
of zinc and 33 per cent. of sulphur.

* «The Student’s Index to the Collection of Minerals.” Price twopence.
OXIDES. 87

Galena (4e) is by far the most important ore of lead (lead 87,
sulphur 13).

Copper-glance (3e) is a common ore of copper (copper 80,
sulphur 20). :

Cinnabar (3h) is the ore from which mercury or quicksilver
is obtained (mercury 86, sulphur 14).

Pyrites (5d), one of the most common of minerals, is a com-
pound of iron and sulphur (iron 47, sulphur 53).

Erubescite (5e), Copper pyrites (5f), and Tetrahedrite, or Grey
Copper-ore (7a), are valuable copper-ores.

III. Common salt, the chloride of the metal sodium, is repre- Chlorides, ete.
sented in case 8f, and Fluor-spar, a compound belonging to the
same division, begins at case Te.

IV. The next division consists of compounds of oxygen and oxides.
includes most of the stony minerals:

Cuprite (10a), an important ore of copper (copper 89, oxygen
11), is at first ruby-red in colour, but becomes blackened by
exposure to light.

Spinel (10e), in its transparent varieties, is one of the pre-
cious stones: the deep red is the Spinel Ruby (less dense and
less hard than the true Ruby), the rose-tinted is the Balas Ruby,
and the yellow or orange-red the Rubicelle of the jewellers:
sometimes, it has a dark blue colour. On account of their
hardness, the less valuable specimens are used for the jewelling
of watches.

Magnetite, or Magnetic Iron-ore (10f), is the richest ore of iron,
of which it contains 72 per cent. It is the natural loadstone.

Uraninite, or Pitchblende (10h), consists mainly of oxygen
and uranium, but contains traces of helium and radium, of
which latter it is the source.

Chrysoberyl! (9e) is another of the precious stones. The beauti-
ful greenish-yellow variety, almost equal in lustre and hard-
ness to the Sapphire, is the Oriental Chrysolite of the jewellers ;
another variety, with a peculiar play of light, is the true Cat’s-
eye; while a third, green by sunlight, but red by candle- or
lamp-light, is known as Alexandrite.

Corundum (9f), when clear and of the proper colour, is, after
the Diamond, the most precious of stones. When pure it is colour-
less, but with minute traces of colouring ingredient it assumes
88 MINERAL GALLERY. .

the richest and most varied hues; when red it is Ruby,
when azure Sapphire, while the yellow, green, and purple
varieties are known respectively to jewellers as the Oriental
Topaz, Emerald, and Amethyst. Although at first used to
suggest that the stones, instead of being ordinary topaz,
emerald, and amethyst, but others of similar colour coming
from the East (India, Ceylon, Siam, Pegu, &c.), the prefix
“oriental” was afterwards understood to refer only to the excel-
lence of their characters. The Star-stone, another variety of
Corundum, when placed in a strong light shows a six-rayed star.

Hematite (11a) is a valuable ore of iron.

Cassiterite, or Tin-stone (11f), is the ore of tin, of which metal _
it contains 79 per cent.

Zircon (13b), when clear and without flaws, is one of the
precious stones: one variety with peculiar red tints being the
Hyacinth or Jacynth, while the colourless, yellowish, and dull
green phases are termed Jargoon: the colourless variety, owing to
its high refractive power, approaches the Diamond in brilliancy.

Quartz, which is silica, the oxide of silicon, is the most
common of minerals. In its clear and transparent variety
it is the Crystal of the ancients and the Rock-Crystal of
modern times; while it is the Brazilian Pebble of spectacle-
makers (14b). After the clear come the smoky varieties, in-
cluding the Scotch Cairngorm and Occidental Topaz (14g).
Next follows the Amethyst (14h), one of the less valuable, though
one of the most beautiful of ornamental stones. The Quartz
Cat’s-eye (13f) is a variety presenting the opalescence, although
not the hardness or brilliancy, of the true Cat’s-eye already
referred to : the opalescence being due to enclosed fibres of an
asbestos-like mineral in the specimens from Ceylon, and to
fibres of Crocidolite in the blue, and of altered Crocidolite in the
brownish-yellow specimens from South Africa.

Jasper (13g) is a coloured mixture of silica and clay, dis-
tinguished from ordinary quartz by its opacity and dull earthy
fracture. It is of various colours, chiefly red, brown, yellow,
and green; and the colours are arranged sometimes in a
nodular form as in Egyptian Jasper, at other times in stripes
as in Riband-Jasper.

The Lydian or Touch-stone (15a), by reason of its hardness
OXIDES. 89

and black colour, has been used from remote ages to test the
purity of precious metals.

Hornstone (15a) is a variety of. silica without evident
crystallisation, and generally presents a more or less splintery
fracture; but in one kind, Flint (15b), the fracture is shell-
like (conchoidal), but sometimes conical, as is well shown by
specimens in the case.

Chalcedony (15b) has a lustre nearly that of wax, and is
either transparent or translucent. The specimens from
Uruguay (15d) are of especial interest as containing imprisoned
water.

Heliotrope, or Bloodstone (16a), is a green stone with red
blood-like spots.

Next follow the Plasma and Chrysoprase, which are green
stones: and the Sard, generally brownish red; as also the
Sardonyx, its banded variety. All were much prized by the
ancients because though hard and tough enough to resist
ordinary wear and tear, they are more suited to the display of
the engraver’s skill than the harder and more precious stones.

Then come the Agates (16b), chiefly formed of thin layers of
porous chalcedony of different colours, though the material of
many of the white layers is a compact semi-opal. Most are
now brought from Uruguay, in South America, and are cut and
polished at Oberstein, in Germany, where in former times
agates were collected in quantity from the mountains of the
district. Sometimes the layers are parallel, and the stone is
then an Onyx, useful as a material for cameos: or the bands of
a section are arranged in parallel sets of zigzag lines, and the
stone is then called a Fortification-agate ; but in the ordinary
agate the layers are variously curved.

Moss-agates, or Mocha-stones (16e), are varieties of chalce-
dony enclosing moss-like forms of oxides of manganese and
iron and green earthy chlorite. Carnelian (16e) is a beautiful
stone much valued by the engraver: its fracture has a peculiar
waxy lustre, and is distinct from that of the Sard, which is
dull and horn-like. Next follows Opal, including the Precious
or Noble Opal (16f), among the specimens of which is a
fine suite from Queensland presented by Professor Story-
Maskelyne.
Carbonates.

Silicates.

90 MINERAL GALLERY.

Witherite, the carbonate of barium (18a), is used in the
manufacture of plate-glass and in France in that of beet-sugar.
Strontianite (18b), the carbonate of strontium, is one of two
minerals from which strontium-nitrate is made for use in the
manufacture of fireworks, owing to the fine crimson colour
which the salt gives to the flame: the strontium minerals are
also employed in connection with sugar-refining. Cerussite (18b)
is the corresponding carbonate of lead, and when abundant is
a valuable ore of that metal.

Calcite (18e), a carbonate of the metal calcium, is represented
by a fine suite of specimens, illustrating an almost endless
variety of crystalline form. The clear variety from Iceland is
largely used in optical instruments for polarising light.
Chalybite, or Spathic iron ore (20h), is the carbonate of
iron, and a valuable ore of that metal. The most important
English iron-ore, Clay Iron-stone, is a mixture of chalybite and
clay. Calamine (19h), a carbonate of zinc, is an important zinc-
ore. Chessylite (21d) and Malachite (22b) are respectively the
blue and green carbonates of copper, and are used as ores of
that metal. Malachite is found in large masses; and by reason
of the high polish which it takes and its beautiful markings, is
much used for ornamental work of various kinds.

Passing to the Silicates, we come to Olivine (22f), one of the.
less hard and least valued of the precious stones; when of a
yellow colour it is known as Chrysolite, while the pistachio-
green variety is the Peridot of jewellers. Hiddenite (23a), a
rare emerald-green variety of Spodumene, is from Stony Point,
North Carolina.

Asbestos (24c¢), a variety of Hornblende (a black mineral
common in rocks of igneous origin) used in manufactures, is found
in long fibres, and in some of its varieties is so flexible that it
can be woven into gloves and other articles. The term asbestos,
meaning unquenched or unquenchable,was applied by the ancient
Greeks, because, owing to being unaltered by heat, wicks
made of the mineral were used in maintaming the perpetual
sacred fires of their temples. Napkins of asbestos were cleaned
by being thrown into the fire; asbestos-cloth was also used in
the process of cremation to keep the ashes of the body distinct
from those of the fuel, It is now employed for lining iron-
SILICATES, 91

safes, packing for steam-pipes and boilers, and in gas-stoves,
for which purposes its low conductivity for heat renders it
serviceable.

Jade or Nephrite (24d), a valued mineral, belongs to the
same mineral group as Hornblende. The various shades of
colour and the beautiful polish which this tough mineral will
take are illustrated by specimens in the case. The worked
specimens from New Zealand, of which there are several
exhibited, are now rare. An immense water-worn mass,
found some years ago in Asiatic Russia, is shown in the
pavilion.

Meerschaum (23g), the light soft porous mineral used for
tobacco-pipes, is a hydrated silicate of magnesium. Ser-
pentine (25a) is another hydrated magnesium-silicate: the
ease with which it is worked and polished, its green colour and
varied markings render it much sought after as a material
for fire-places, tables, and other indoor work: exposed to the
weather it soon loses its polish.

Topaz (25d) in its clear varieties is one of the precious
stones. The crystals from the Urulga river, Siberia, are
remarkably fine, and of a delicate brown colour, but are
kept covered, as the action of light speedily bleaches them.
The yellow crystals from Brazil assume a peculiar pink colour
when heated, and are then known to jewellers as Burnt or
Pink Topaz.

Garnet also belongs to the group of precious stones; when
the red is tinged with violet, the stone is the Almandine or
Syrian garnet (named after Syriam in Pegu), and when cut en
cabochon, the Carbuncle of jewellery (26f); the Cinnamon-
stune or Hessonite is yellow (26e); the Pyrope and the
Bohemian garnet are blood-red (26e); Uvarovite is a green
chrome-garnet (26h).

Jadeite (27a) is one of the green stones which, under the
name of Jade, are wrought into ornaments in China: from
jade it is distinguished by its chemical composition, structure,
and higher specific gravity. Among the specimens of Epidote
(27c) a remarkable series from the Untersulzbachthal is ex-
hibited. ;

Mica (28a) is the name given to a group of minerals differing
92 MINERAL GALLERY.

much from each other in chemical composition and optical pro-
perties, but having as a common character an easy splitting, or
cleavage, in a single direction, and thus affording plates re-
markably thin, transparent, tough, and elastic. One of these
minerals, Muscovite (28d), has been used in Russia in place of
glass for windows, and is now in common use for lanterns and
stoves, not being so easily cracked as glass by changes of
temperature; is often known in commerce as talc, a term
restricted by mineralogists to a different mineral.

The group of Felspars, the most important of the rock-forming
minerals, begins at case 28f. After the Felspars comes Beryl,
of which the bright green variety, Emerald (29c), is one of the
most valued of precious stones. It was in ancient times
worked in Egypt, as is proved by specimens found in the
old workings by Sir Gardner Wilkinson, and presented by
him to the Museum. Emeralds occur in the Urals; but the
locality for the finest stones has long been Muso, about
seventy miles from Santa Fé de Bogota, in South America.
Emeralds, though not of a good colour, also occur at Stony
Point, North Carolina. Facetted specimens of the colourless
beryl, and also of the bluish-green beryl, known in jewellery as
Aquamarine, are exhibited (30a).

In cases 30e to 32d will be found examples of the Zeolite
group of minerals.

Tourmaline (33a), when free from flaws, is, in some of its
varieties, to be classed with the precious stones. Among these
is the pink variety called Rubellite. Two fine specimens of
rubellite from Burma are shown in the case ; one, remarkable for
its size and shape, was brought from that country by Colonel
Symes, to whom it had been presented by the king; the
other, not so large but of a deeper colour, was presented
to the Museum by Mr. C. 8. J. L. Guthrie. The pink-
and-green tourmalines from Maine, U.S.A., are among the
more beautiful of the mineral products of the United States.
Examples of the blue tourmaline, Indicolite, are shown in
case 33b.

A rich blue mineral, the Lapis-Lazuli of jewellery (34b),
brought from Persia, China, Siberia, Bokhara, and Cnili,
is a mixture of various species. When powdered, lapis-
SULPHATES AND PHOSPHATES. 93

lazuli furnished the once costly pigment ultramarine; but
by the discovery of a method of producing an artificial and
cheap form of the latter, the use of the mineral as a pigment
has almost ceased.

The sulphates of strontium, Celestite (35c), of barium, Barytes Sulphates,
or Heavy Spar (36a), and of lead, Anglesite (36e), are all repre- ee
sented by series of specimens.

Gypsum, or Selenite (36f), is a sulphate of the metal calcium:
when heated, it gives up its water of crystallisation and falls to
a white powder, known as “Plaster of Paris,’ which, when
moistened, again combines with water and yields a coherent
solid. Gypseous alabaster, a massive variety of gypsum (36h),
owing to its whiteness, fine texture, and softness is used as a
material for statuettes and other indoor ornaments. Oriental.
alabaster is a harder substance, stalagmitic calcite, the carbonate
of calcium.

Borax (37c), a borate of sodium, is much used as a flux, also
in soldering, and in the preparation of easily fusible enamels.
It was formerly carried over the Himalaya on sheep and
goats from a lake in Tibet, but is now obtained largely from
the borax-lakes of the United States, and is also extensively
prepared from the boracic acid lagoons in Tuscany.

Nitratine or Soda-nitre (37d), found in Chili in beds of large
extent, is largely used for the preparation of nitric acid and of
saltpetre, and also as a fertiliser.

Calaite or Turquoise (38g), a phosphate of the metals alu-
minium and copper, does not occur in the crystalline state.
Being as hard as felspar and taking a good polish, it has
been much prized in jewellery under the name of Oriental
Turquoise; that which comes into the market being chiefly
brought from the turquoise-mines not far from Nishapur,
in Persia.

As a supplement to the collection of simple minerals, is
arranged, in case 41, a group of natural substances which
either belong or are closely related to the Mineral Kingdom,
although, in the formation of most, organised matter has played
a very important part. The most important members are Coal
and Amber. Coal (41a), in most of its varieties, gives structural
evidence of its vegetable origin: its chemical composition
Amber.

Larger
Mineral
Specimens.

Meteorites,

94. MINERAL GALLERY.

depending on the amount of change which has taken place,
and thus being less definite than in the preceding minerals.
In the variety called Anthracite all traces of the original
organised structure have disappeared. Amber (41c), in ancient
times regarded as one of the precious stones, is likewise
of vegetable origin. It is a fossil resin, chiefly derived
from trees allied to the pines; its originally sticky con-
dition is sufficiently proved by the insects sometimes found
enclosed.

In the gallery and pavilion at the east end the visitor will
find many specimens which, owing to their size, cannot be
satisfactorily exhibited in the table-cases.

Among these, attention may be directed to the magnificent

‘series of minerals in the wall-cases, and to the specimens of

Galena and Jade on separate tables; as well as to the large
specimen of Gypsum, or Selenite, presented by the late Prince
Consort, which, with some fine illustrations of Calcite, is ex-
hibited in a special case.

Of the four table-cases in the windows of the pavilion, the
first three contain a series illustrating the various kinds of
Pseudomorphs, or minerals in which the original constituent
has been dissolved away and replaced by a new substance
which preserves the crystalline form of the first. The fourth
displays a set of specimens selectéd by Professor Ruskin to
illustrate varieties of Silica.

The most important feature of the pavilion is the collection
of Meteorites,* of which the smaller specimens are shown in the
four central cases. The fall of masses of stone and iron from
the sky, though observed again and again since the most remote
ages, was very rarely credited by anyone beside the spectators
themselves ; and till the beginning of the eighteenth century no
attempt to collect such specimens for examination and comparison
was made. In the special guide it is shown how evidence of the
actual fall of such bodies at length became irresistible, and a
description is given of the circumstances attending their fall,
of their general characters, and their chemical composition :
illustrative specimens, collected together for easy reference, will

* See “An Introduction to the Study of Meteorites, with a List of the
Meteorites represented in the Collection.” Price sixpence.
BOTANICAL GALLERY. 95

be found in one of the cases. It is also shown that meteorites
are closely related, not only to shooting stars, but also to
comets, and probably to nebulas and fixed stars.

SECOND FLoor.

The upper floor of the East wing is devoted to the Depazt- 5 Botanical
ment of Botany. Gallery:

The Collections of this Department consist of two portions,
the one open to the public and consisting of specimens suit-
able for exhibition, and mainly intended to illustrate the various
groups of the Vegetable Kingdom and the broad facts on
which the natural system of the classification of plants is
based; the other set apart for the use of persons engaged in the
scientific study of plants.

On the landing outside the gallery is a series of tree-sections
representing some common British-grown trees, with sections
and bark of the Cork-Oak (Quercus suber), and large sections of
the White Fir and Douglas Pine from British Columbia. The
Douglas Pine was cut down in 1885 when 533 years old; its
age is indicated by the annual rings seen in transverse section
of the wood, and a record of events has been painted on the
surface.

The system of classification followed in the exhibition cases System of
in the public gallery is a modification of one widely used on “l#ssifecation.
the Continent and in America. In the first bay on the left-
hand side an attempt has been made to illustrate, by means of
books dealing with the subject, the history and development of
modern systems of classification. The series of specimens
(starting on the north or left-hand side of the gallery) begins
with the simpler orders of Dicotyledonous Seed-plants, those in
which petals are wanting in the flower or if present are free
from each other, and passes on to the less simple orders with
united petals. The orders are represented by dried specimens
of the plants themselves, drawings, fruits, and prepared sections
of the woods. Diagrams are employed to indicate the characters
in the flowers on which the grouping is based. The use of
the same colour for corresponding structures throughout the
96 BOTANICAL GALLERY.

diagrams readily conveys to the eye the points of agreement
or difference on which the classification rests. The geological
history of each natural order is indicated on a table of the
earth’s strata ; and its present distribution on the surface of the
earth is given on a small map of the world. Descriptive
labels afford particular information respecting each specimen.
The Dicotyledonous plants extend to the fifth case on the
left side of the gallery, and are followed by the Monocotyle-
donous orders, which fill a portion of the last case on the same
side, the two half-cases at the end of the gallery, and the first
case returning towards the door. The Gymnosperis are placed
in the next case. Then follow the Cryptogams, a case being
devoted to the higher, vascular orders, and another to the
cellular plants. The series closes with an interesting collection
of models of the larger British Fungi prepared by Sowerby
when he was engaged on his work on this group of plants,
which have been recoloured and mounted in accordance with
their natural habitats. A Catalogue of these models has been
prepared.* In the table-case in this last bay is placed an
illustrated collection of the British Mycetozoa, to which a
Guide has been written.t A large chalk-like mass of Diatom
earth containing twelve billion Diatoms is placed in a case by
itself near the entrance to the gallery. The table- and window-
cases in the bays contain exhibitions of biological interest
under the following heads: Insectivorous plants (at present in
the Central Hall), Parasitic plants’ (also in the Hall), Water-
plants, Xerophytic plants, Epiphytic plants, Adaptations for
Defence, Climbing plants, Fertilisation of flowers, and Dispersal
of seeds, also a model of a large fungus, Hydnum Erinacewm.
At the end of the gallery the larger specimens of Palms are
set up against the screen dividing the gallery from the Her-
barium ; other Palms, Cycads, Tree-ferns, &c., are placed in the
bays next the appropriate wall-cases. Suspended from the roof
is a fine specimen of the “Wabo” Bamboo (Dendrocalamus
brandisit) from Burma, 81 feet long; and on the floor of the
gallery are specimens of the Vegetable Sheep (Raoulia) of New

* “Guide to Sowerby’s Models of British Fungi.” By W. G. Smith. Price
fourpence.
t “Guide to the British Mycetozoa.” By A. Lister. Price threepence.
HERBARIUM. 97

Zealand, a large aerial root of a Banyan, a Brazilian Tree-lily
(Vellozia),a large Bamboo from Demerara, an Australian Grass-
tree (Kingia), a Brazilian Palm (Acrocomia), a Sugar-cane, and
a Japanese Cycad.

A collection of British Plants is exhibited in glazed frames British
fastened by hinges to uprights. The classification of the Seed- *!#™**
plants and Ferns is that used by Bentham in his “ Handbook
of the British Flora,” and his descriptions are attached as labels
to each plant. Three series of frames contain specimens of all
the British Vascular Plants. The fourth frame is occupied with
the Mosses, Liverworts (Hepatice), and Stoneworts (Characeze),
and forms the beginning of the exhibition of Cellular Plants.
The series is continued in the frames on the other side of the
gallery containing the lower Fungi and drawings of the larger
Fungi. The latter could not be dried so as to give a fair
idea of their form; coloured drawings have therefore been
employed for this part of the series. The British Lichens are
arranged in a-cabinet of narrow glass-topped drawers.

Above the entrance to the great Herbarium is a life-size
photograph of an Orchid, Phalenopsis schilleriana, from the
Philippine Islands.

The portion devoted to the use of the scientific student con- Herbarium,
sists mainly of the great Herbarium of Flowering Plants. This
is a collection of plants, fastened on single sheets of folio
paper, representing, so far as it has been possible to obtain
them, first, every species of plant living on the earth, and
then the distribution of each species on the surface of the
earth. The various species are collected under their respec-
tive genera, and these are arranged in their natural orders;
the whole being classified according to the system of Bentham
and Hooker’s “Genera Plantarum.” The plants of the British
Isles form a small separate collection. The important herbarium
of Sir Hans Sloane is kept distinct in its original form, the
plants being pasted on the pages of 333 large folios. There are
other ancient herbaria of great historic and scientific interest,
as wellas an excellent working library and a collection of figures
of plants. The Herbarium of Vascular Cryptogams and Cellular
Plants (Mosses, Liverworts, Algae, Lichens, and Fungi) is in a
separate room entered from the head of the great staircase.

H
Use of the
term Natural
History.

98 GENERAL ARRANGEMENT.

GENERAL ARRANGEMENT OF THE CONTENTS OF
THE MUSEUM.

Naturat History is an old term, used to describe the study
of all the processes or laws of the Universe, and the results
of the action of those processes or laws upon such of the
materials of which it is composed as are independent of the
agency of man.

It is thus contrasted with the history of Man and his works,
and the changes which have been wrought in the Universe by
Man’s intervention.

This distinction afforded a convenient and rational basis for
the division of the numerous and multifarious objects collected
together in the old building of the Museum at Bloomsbury.
When it was decided to effect a separation of the collections,
those that were purely the products of what are commonly called
“natural” forces were removed to South Kensington, while those
showing the effects of Man’s handiwork remained at Blooms-
bury. Like most others of the kind, this distinction cannot
be applied too rigidly. Such lines of demarcation almost
always overlap. For instance, examples of modification of
animal or plant structure under Man’s influence legitimately
find a place in a Museum of Natural History, especially as
they may afford illustrations of the mode of working of natural
laws. Prehistoric stone-implements, again, are shown in the
Geological Department, in order to illustrate the co-existence
of Man with extinct Mammals.

Processes or laws cannot, however, be satisfactorily demon-
strated in 9 museum; therefore such branches of knowledge as
deal chiefly with these, as Astronomy, Physics, Geology (in
the stricter sense of the word), and the experimental sciences,
as Chemistry and Physiology, though essentially belonging to
MINERAL, VEGETABLE, AND ANIMAL. 99

the domain of Natural History, have not found a place in the
Natural History Museum. It is only the results of the
working of these processes or laws, as shown in the modifica-
tions of the arrangement of the elementary substances of which
the material of the Universe is composed, which can be fully
illustrated by specimens admitting of being readily preserved
and permanently exhibited in a museum. A Natural History
Museum, therefore, in the sense in which the term is now
usually understood, is a collection of the various objects,
animate and inanimate, found in a state of nature. It will
be readily understood that as the study of such objects is
one of the principal means by which the laws leading to
their formation or arrangement may be traced out, it is of
the utmost importance for the progress of those departments
of knowledge which the Museum is designed to cultivate, to
bring together as full an illustrative series of these objects as
possible.

Although the validity of the division of natural objects Division into
into inorganic and organic or living has been the subject of react
some discussion, and although the separation of the latter and Animal,
into vegetable and animal is perhaps less absolute than once
supposed, yet for practical purposes, MINERAL, VEGETABLE,
and ANIMAL remain the three great divisions or “ kingdoms”
into which natural bodies are grouped, and this classification
has formed the basis of the arrangement of the collections in
the Museum.

I. Inorganic substances occur in nature in a gaseous, Mineralogical
liquid, or solid form. With very few exceptions, it is Department.
only in the latter state that they can be conveniently
preserved and exhibited in a museum, and it is to such that
the term “mineral” is commonly limited. The collection,
classification, and exhibition of specimens of this kind is the
office of the Mineralogical Department of the Museum, to
which, as already mentioned, is devoted the large gallery on
the first floor of the east wing of the building. :

II. The study of the vegetable kingdom, so far as it can be Rotanical
illustrated by preserved specimens, is the province of the Department.
Department of Botany, which occupies the upper floor of the

east wing.
H 2
Zoological
Department.

Geological
Department.

Introductory
Collection.

100 GENERAL ARRANGEMENT.

III. In the same way the animal kingdom belongs to the
department of Zoology, to which is assigned the whole of the
western wing of the building.

It will thus be seen that a department of the Museum
corresponds with each of the great divisions of natural objects ;
there is, however, a fourth department, which owes its separate
existence to a time when the terms Zoology and Botany were
limited to the study of the existing forms of animal and plant
life, and the extinct or fossil forms were associated with
minerals, rather than with their living representatives. This
arrangement prevailed in the British Museum until the year
1857. The fossils were then severed from this incongruous
connection, and placed in a separate department for which
the name of “Geology” was reserved.* The result is that
there are now two distinct zoological and botanical collections
in the building, one containing the remains of all the animals
and plants which lived through successive ages of the world’s
history from the earliest dawn of life down to close upon the
present time, and the other including only those living at the
particular period in which we dwell. Notwithstanding the
objections which may be urged against this separation, it prevails
largely in museums, and (owing to certain conveniences, as
well as to the difficulty and expense of rearranging extensive
collections and reorganising the staff in charge of them) will
probably be retained for some time to come. It should, however,
be mentioned that a few specimens illustrating some of the more
important extinct forms have been intercalated among the recent
Mammals and Reptiles; while, conversely, skeletons and other
specimens of recent animals have been introduced among the
fossil Vertebrates in the Geological Department. Again, the
more important remains of extinct Cetaceans are now shown
in the Whale Room, as are many of the specimens of Elephants,
as well as all the Sea-Cows, in the Geological Department.

Besides the four above-mentioned departments, into which
the collection is divided for the purposes of custody and

* Paleontology, or the study of fossil animals, would have been a more
appropriate designation, as Geology, the science which investigates the
history of the earth, and the changes which its surface has undergone in
attaining its present condition, has a much wider scope.
INTRODUCTORY COLLECTION. 101

administration, each of which is under the charge of an
officer styled “Keeper” and a staff of Assistants, there is a
fifth, at present under the immediate supervision of the
Director, and arranged in the Central Hall, the specimens
shown in which are intended to be an introduction to those
exhibited in the others.

Inclusive of the last-named collection, the whole of the The specimens
specimens contained in the Museum, whether Animal, Vege- foe
table, or Mineral, are thus arranged in three distinct series,
each having its definite end and purpose, as follows :-—

I. An Elementary or Introductory Series, by which the Introductory
study of every group should commence. In this the leading ob Ei eeniaty
features of the structure, and, so far as may be, the development
of the various parts of some of the more typical members of
each group, are demonstrated in a clear and simple manner,
and the terms used in describing and defining them explained
by means of illustrative examples. This idea is carried out in
the Department of Mineralogy in a series of cases placed on
the north or left-hand side of the gallery containing the rest of
the collection. The introductory series to the vertebrated
animals and to the plants has been referred to above in the
notice of the Central Hall.

IJ. The Exhibited Systematic Series, in which the most Exhibited
‘ : : ‘ Systematic
important types of animal, plant, or mineral species are shown, geries,
by means of specimens, arranged in a systematic manner, or
one which exhibits, so far as may be, their natural relations
to each other. Classification is an important feature in this
series, which properly should be so extensive and so arranged
as to enable visitors to the Museum, without recourse to
assistance from the officials, to find every well-known and
markedly distinct type of animal, plant, or mineral, and
satisfy themselves about, at least, its external characters. In
practice, with the amount of space available, and the resources
at the disposal of the authorities, it has, however, been found
impracticable to carry out this ideal in anything like its
entirety, and in most instances only a selection of specimens
is in consequence exhibited.

While the two series above mentioned have for their
object the diffusion of scientific knowledge, the next minis-
102 GENERAL ARRANGEMENT.

ters mainly to its advancement, and thus between them the
twofold object of a National Museum of Natural History is

carried out.

Reserve or III. The Reserve or Study Systematic Series contains the
Bes exceedingly numerous specimens (in many groups the great
Series. bulk of the collection) showing the minute distinctions required

for working out the problems of variation according to age,
sex, season, and locality, for fixing the limits of geographical
distribution, or determining the range in geological time:
distinctions which, in most cases, can only be appreciated
when the specimens exhibiting them are kept under such
conditions as to admit of ready and close examination and
comparison. It is to this part of the collection that zoologists
and botanists resort to compare and name the animals
and plants collected in exploring expeditions, to work out
natural history problems, and generally to advance the know-
ledge of science. In fact, these reserve collections, occupying
comparatively little room, kept up at relatively small cost,
and visited by comparatively few persons, constitute, from
a scientific point of view, the most important part of the
Museum, for by their means new knowledge is obtained,
which, given forth to the world in the form of memoirs,
books, or lectures, is ultimately diffused over a far wider area
than that influenced even by the exhibited portions of the
Museum. Indeed, without the means of study afforded by
the reserve series, the order displayed in arrangement, the
exhibition galleries, and the instruction which can be gleaned
from the same would not be possible.

It is important to bear in mind that if the whole of such
specimens as are really required for enlarging the boundaries
of knowledge were displayed in the public galleries, so that
each one could be distinctly seen, a museum many times larger
than the present one would not suffice to contain them; the
specimens themselves would be inaccessible to the exami-
nation of those capable of deriving instruction from them,
and owing to the disastrous effects of exposure to light upon
preserved natural objects, many would ultimately louse almost
everything that now gives them value. This portion of the
collection must, in fact, be treated as are the books in a library,
GEOLOGICAL COLLECTIONS. 103

and only used for consultation and reference by duly accredited
_Students.*

In some parts of the Museum the reserve collections are

contained in drawers beneath the cases in which the corre-
sponding exhibited portion is placed. This applies princi-
pally to the fossil specimens, the shells, and the minerals.
The reserve birds and insects have special rooms devoted to
them, and the extensive series of reptiles, fishes, and other
animals preserved in spirit is kept, for the purposes of
safety, in a separate building behind the Museum. In the
Botanical Department the reserve collections are kept as
usual in the well-known form of an Herbarium, or Hortus
Ssiccus,

The great bulk of the specimens being arranged in these supplemen-
three series, supplementary collections for facilitating the study ne
of the distribution of animals and plants, and perhaps also of
minerals, in space and in time would be advantageous. The first,
constituting a geographical series, might show by illustrative
examples the leading characteristics of the fauna and flora
of each great region of the earth’s surface; the second, or
geological series, would give examples of the fossil remains
found most abundantly in each formation, arranged so far as
may be in chronological order.

The only attempt hitherto made at exhibiting a geographical Geographical.
series in the Museum is the collection of terrestrial and fresh-
water vertebrated animals of the British Isles, arranged in the
pavilion at the west end of the bird gallery. It would be
difficult in the present building to find room for other geo-
graphical collections, however interesting and instructive.

With regard to geological collections, although the specimens Geological.
in the department so called are mainly arranged not geologi-
cally, or according to stratigraphical position, but according
to their natural affinities, yet, in many cases, it has been
found convenient to adopt a mixed arrangement, the specimens
within each large natural group being classified according
to the sequence in age of the strata in which they were
found. Such an arrangement, however, is only applicable to
the fossils of a particular region, owing to the difficulties in
* For conditions as to admission and regulation, see p. 123.
104 GENERAL ARRANGEMENT.

accurately determining the correspondence in age of forma-
tions occurring in distant parts of the earth’s surface; hence
a large and varied paleontological collection, such as that of
the British Museum, is best arranged in the main upon a
systematic or zoological and botanical basis. A limited series
showing the more characteristic rock-formations with their
included fossil remains, of the British Isles, placed in chrono-
logical sequence, is arranged in one of the galleries of the
Geological Department.

 

 
HISTORICAL SKETCH, 105

HISTORICAL SKETCH.

THE British Museum dates its actual foundation from the year Foundation.
1753, when an Act of Parliament was passed “for the purchase
of the Museum or Collection of Sir Hans Sloane, and of the
Harleian Collection of Manuscripts, and for providing One
General Repository for the better Reception and more convenient
Use of the said Collections and of the Cottonian Library and of
the Additions thereto.”

Sir Hans Sloane, an eminent physician in London, was for sir Hans
sixteen years President of the Royal College of Physicians, 5!#7¢
and in 1727 succeeded Sir Isaac Newton in the Presidential
Chair of the Royal Society. He was throughout his long
life a diligent and miscellaneous collector, having, as stated in
the Preamble of the Act of Incorporation of the Museum,
“through the course of many years, with great labour and
expense, gathered together whatever could be procured, either
in our own or foreign countries, that was rare and curious.”
His collection, which at the time of his death in 1753 was
contained in his residence, the Manor House, Chelsea, consisted
of “books, drawings, manuscripts, prints, medals, and coins,
ancient and modern antiquities, seals, cameos and intaglios,
precious stones, agates, Jaspers, vessels of agate and jasper,
crystals, mathematical instruments, pictures, and other things,”
which latter included numerous zoological and geological speci-
mens, and an extensive herbarium of dried plants preserved in
310 large folio volumes.

According to the terms of Sir Hans Sloane’s will, this collec-
tion was purchased for the sum of £20,000—far below its
intrinsic value—in order “that it might be preserved and
maintained, not only for the inspection and entertainment of
the learned and the curious, but for the general use and benefit
of the public to all posterity.”
Montagu
House,
Bloomsbury.

Growth of
Collections
necessitating
additional
space.

106 HISTORICAL SKETCH.

The valuable collection of manuscripts formed by Sir Robert
Cotton at the end of the sixteenth and beginning of the seven-
teenth centuries was already the property of the nation, having
been presented by his grandson, Sir John Cotton, in the year
1700. The Harley Collection was obtained by purchase at
the same time as the Sloane, and the three were brought
together under the designation of “ the British Museum,” placed
under the care of a body of Trustees,* and lodged in Montagu
House, Bloomsbury, purchased for their reception in 1754. The
Museum was opened to the public on the 15th of January, 1759.
Admission to the galleries of antiquities and natural history was
at first by ticket only on application in writing, and limited to
ten persons, for three hours in the day. In place of being
allowed to inspect the cases at their leisure, visitors were con-
ducted through the galleries by officers of the house. The hours of
admission were subsequently extended; but it was not until the
year 1810 that the Museum was freely accessible to the general
public for three days in the week, from ten to four o'clock.
The present daily opening, with longer hours in summer, dates
only from 1879.

At the time of the foundation of the Museum, the site allotted
seemed amply sufficient for its purposes ; but gradually, as the
collections of all kinds increased, they outgrew the limits,
not only of the original Montagu House, but even of its
successor, the present classical building, completed in 1845
from the designs of Sir Robert Smirke. The erection of the
magnificent reading-room in 1857 disposed for a time of the
difficulty of finding accommodation for the ever-growing library ;
but the keepers of other departments continued urgent in their
demands for more space, and after much discussion of rival
plans for keeping the collections together and obtaining the

* The Trustees under the Act of Incorporation were the Archbishop ot
Canterbury, the Lord Chancellor, the Speaker of the House of Commons, the
Bishop of London, and the principal Officers of State for the time being; six
representatives of Founders’ families; the Presidents of the Royal Society
and College of Physicians; and fifteen other Trustees to be elected by them,
Subsequently, the Presidents of the Society of Antiquaries and of the Royal
Academy of Arts, a Trustee by special nomination of the Sovereign, and three
more family Trustees were added to the Board.
GROWTH OF COLLECTIONS. 107

needful extension of room by acquiring the property immediately

around the old Museum, or for severing the collections and
removing a portion to another building, the latter course was

finally decided upon. At a special general meeting of the
Trustees, held on the 21st of January, 1860, attended by many
members of the Government in their official capacity, a resolu-

tion, moved by the First Lord of the Treasury, was carried

“That it is expedient that the Natural History Collection be Resolution to
removed from the British Museum, inasmuch as such an arrange- ae
ment wouldbe attended with considerably less expense than would History
be incurred by providing a sufficient additional spacein immediate °Uection.
contiguity to the present building of the British Museum.”

The House of Commons, in the Session of 1863, sanctioned Purchase of a
the purchase of part of the site of the International Exhibition Ronsiieton.
of 1862 at South Kensington, with a view to appropriating it to
the purpose of a Museum of Natural History.

In January, 1864, the Commissioners of Her Majesty’s Works Competitive
issued an advertisement for designs for a Natural History Henne:
Museum and a Patent Museum, to be erected on part of the land
thus acquired, a plan which had been prepared by Mr. Hunt in
September, 1862, from Sir Richard Owen’s suggestions, being
proposed as a model in respect to dimensions and internal
arrangement.

The plans of the various competitors were submitted to Her captain
Majesty’s Commissioners of Works, who awarded prizes to three Fowke’s plan.
of the number, giving precedence to that of Captain Francis
Fowke, R.E., and then referred the three premiated plans to the
Trustees of the British Museum. As the internal arrangements
in Captain Fowke’s plan did not meet with the approval of the
Museum. officers, he was desired to modify them in conformity
with the requirements of the Trustees. He was engaged in this
labour when his death occurred, in September, 1865.

Early in the year 1866, Mr. Alfred Waterhouse was invited by mr. Water-
the Chief Commissioner of Works to take up the unfinished work ae a
of Captain Fowke; but he found himself unable to complete the
plan to his own satisfaction, and in February, 1868, he was
commissioned to form a fresh design, embodying the require-
ments of the officers of the Natural History Departments of the

Museum.
Completion of
building and
removal of
Collections.

Description of

the building.

108 HISTORICAL SKETCH.

Mr. Waterhouse was not long in submitting to the Trustees his
plan and model of the building, with a disposition of galleries as
required, and these were formally accepted by the Trustees in
April, 1868. It was not, however, until February, 1871, that
the working plans had been thoroughly considered, and received
the final approval of the Trustees.

The actual work of erection was commenced in the year 1873,
and the building was handed over to the Trustees of the British
Museum by Her Majesty’s Commissioners of Works in the
month of June, 1880. Immediately that the exhibition cases
were completed, and the galleries were sutficiently dry to receive
the collections, the great labour of removing the Natural History
Collection from Bloomsbury was commenced. The departments
of Geology, Mineralogy, and Botany were arranged in their
respective sections of the Museum in the course of the year 1880,
and the portion of the Museum which contained these departments
was first opened to the public on April 18th, 1881. It was not
until the following year that the cases destined to receive the
larger collections of the Zoological Department were sufficiently
near completion to allow of these collections following, and
three more years were required before all the rooms could be
brought into a state fitted for public inspection.

The following description of the structure has been contri-
buted by Mr. Waterhouse :-—

“The New Natural History Museum will, from its position,
always be more or less identified with the International
Exhibition of 1862, which occupied the whole of the site
between the Horticultural Gardens and Cromwell Road. It
was at one time thought that a portion, at any rate, of the
Exhibition buildings could with advantage have been converted
into a Museum of Natural History. Parliament, however,
decided against the preservation of any part of these buildings,
and they were accordingly entirely removed.

“In designing the present building, Captain Fowke’s original
idea of employing terra-cotta was always kept in view, though
the blocks were reduced in size, so as to obviate, as far as
possible, the objection to the employment of this material,
arising from its liability to twist in burning. For this and
other reasons the architect abandoned the idea of a Renais-
DESCRIPTION OF THE BUILDING. 109

sance building, and fell back on the earlier Romanesque style
which prevailed largely in Lombardy and the Rhineland from
the tenth to the end of the twelfth century.

“In 1873, a contract was entered into by the Government
with Messrs. George Baker and Sons, of Lambeth, for the
erection of the building at a cost of £352,000. Other sub-
sequent contracts have been entered into by the Treasury,
especially one for the erection of the towers, which in the
first instance it was decided to omit.

“On looking at the exterior of the building, one of the first Exterior.
points which strikes a spectator is that the site is lower than
the street. This arises from the fact that the whole surface
of the ground between the three roads was excavated for the
Exhibition building of 1862, and it was not thought desirable,
for economical considerations, to refill the space. The building
is set back 100 feet from the Cromwell Road, and is approached
by two inclined planes, curved on plan and supported by arches,
forming carriage-ways. Between the two are broad flights of
Craigleith stone steps, for the use of those approaching the
building on foot. The extreme length of the front is 675 feet,
and the height of the towers is 192 feet. The return fronts,
east and west, beyond the end pavilions, have not yet been
erected.*

“On entering the main portal, the visitor has before him the Interior.
great central apartment of the Museum (170 feet long, by 97 feet Cetra! Hall.
wide, and 72 feet high), which it is intended to use as an Index or
Typical Museum. The double arch in the immediate foreground
which spans the nave (57 feet wide), carries the staircase from
the first to the second floor. Opposite the spectator, at the end
of the hall, is the first flight of the staircase, 20 feet wide, which
rises from the ground to the first floor. The galleries over the
side recesses form the connection between the two staircases,
and are also intended for exhibition space, as are also the floor of
the main hall and the side recesses under the galleries, The

* In judging the appearance of the exterior of the building, it should be
remembered that these fronts are required to complete the design, as the
externally unsightly brick galleries which run back from the main front, and
are now conspicuous when the Museum is seen from either west or east, are
intended to be concealed by them (see Frontispiece).
Side galleries.

Towers,

110 HISTORICAL SKETCH.

arches under the side-flights of the main staircase at the end of
the hall lead into another large apartment, with an extreme
length of 97 by 77 feet measured into the arms of the cross.

“Branching out of the Central Hall, near its southern
extremity, are two long galleries, each 278 feet 6 in. long by
50 feet wide. These galleries are repeated on the first floor, and
in a modified form on the second floor. They are divided into
bays by coupled piers arranged in two rows down the length of
the galleries, and planned in such a manner as to allow of upright
cases being placed back to back between the piers and the outer
walls, so as to get the best possible light upon the objects
displayed in the cases with the least amount of reflection from
the glass, and leaving the central space free as a passage.
Owing to the nature of the specimens exhibited in one or two
of these galleries requiring for their exhibition rather table-
cases than wall-cases, advantage has only been taken to a
limited extent of this disposition of the plan. These terra-cotta
piers, however, are constructively necessary, not only to conceal
the iron supports for the floor above, but to prevent these supports
being affected in case of fire. Behind these galleries on the ground
floor are a series of toplighted galleries, devoted, on the east side
to Geology and Paleontology, and on the west to Zoology.

“The towers on the north of the building have each a central
smoke-shaft from the heating apparatus, the boilers of which
are placed in the basement, immediately between the towers,
while the space surrounding the smoke-shafts is used for draw-
ing off the vitiated air from the various galleries contiguous
thereto. The front galleries are ventilated into the front towers,
which form the crowning feature of the main front. These
towers also contain, above the second floor, various rooms for
the work of the different departments, and on the topmost
storey large cisterns for the purpose of always having at hand a
considerable storage of water in case of fire. On the western side
of the building, where it is intended that the Zoological collection
shall be placed, the ornamentation of the terra-cotta (which will
be found very varied both within and without the building) has
been based exclusively on living organisms. On the east side,
where Geology and Paleontology find a home, the terra-cotta
ornamentation has been derived from extinct specimens.
GARDENS. 111

“The Museum is the largest, if not, indeed, the only, modern
building in which terra-cotta has been exclusively used for
external fagades and interior wall-surfaces, including all the
varied decoration which this involves.”

The gardens which surround the Museum on the south, east, Gardens.
and west sides are open to the public whenever the Museum
itself is open, under certain regulations, posted at the entrance
gates.

 
( 112 )

STAFF OF THE NATURAL HISTORY BRANCH
OF THE BRITISH MUSEUM.

 

Director ‘is is wis .. Proressor E. Ray LAnKester, LL.D.,
F.R.S,

Assistant Secretary .. a .. CE. Fagan.

Clerks in Director’s Office .. .. J. F. Isaac; W. H.R. Hott; W. J.
ANDERSON.

Assistant in General Library .. B. B. Woopwarp.

ZOOLOGICAL DEPARTMENT.

Keeper (Acting) si ne .. Proressorn E. Ray Lanxesner, LL.D.,
F.RS.

Assistant Keepers .. &e .. BE. A. Surrs, 1.8.0.; R. Bowpizr

SHarpe, LL.D.; C. O. WaTERHoUusE.

Assistants .. ie a .. G. A. Boutenezr, F.R.S.; OLprieLD

Tuomas, F.R.S.; F. J. BEvy, M.A.;
WwW. R Ooruvin pes WwW. F.

Ca, Ga A: ‘R, es
PATRICK; F. A. Henn, B.A.;
WwW. T. Catway, D.8c.; E. E.
AusteN; G. J. Arrow; C. T.
Reean, B.A.; A. 8. Hirst.

GEOLOGICAL DEPARTMENT.

Keeper 7 . * .. A. 8S. Woopwarp, LL.D., F.R.S.

Assistant Keeper es - .. F. A. Baruer, M.A., D.Sc.

Assistants .. # x . R. B. Newton; C. W. Anprews,
D.Sc., F.R.S.; G.C. Crick; W. D.
Lane, B.A.

MINERAL DEPARTMENT,

Keeper er és i . L. Fuetcuer, M.A., F.R.S.
Assistants is es de .. G. T. Prior, M.A., D.Sc.; L. J.
Spencer, M.A.; G, F. Herpsert
Sura, M.A.
BOTANICAL DEPARTMENT.
Keeper ae % we .. A. B. Renpus, M.A, D.Sc.
Assistants .. fe a .. J. Brirren; A. Gepp, M.A.; E. G.

Baker.
( 113 )

SELECTED LIST

OF THE

NATURAL HISTORY PUBLICATIONS

OF THE TRUSTEES OF THE

BRITISH MUSEUM.

Tue History of the Collections contained in the Natural History
Departments of the British Museum. Vol. I. Libraries; Botany ;
Geology; Minerals. 1904, 8vo. 15s.

Catalogue of the Library of the British Museum (Natural History).
By B. B. Woodward. Vol. I. A—D. 1903, 4to. 11. Vol. IL.
E—K. 1904, 4to. 11.

Report on the Zoological Collections made in the Indo-Pacific
Ocean during the voyage of H.MLS. “ Alert,” 1881-2. Edited by
A. Giinther. 54 Plates. 1884, 8vo. 17. 10s.

Report on the Collections of Natural History made in the Antarctic
Regions during the voyage of the “ Southern Cross.” 53 Plates.
1902, roy. 8vo. 21.

A Monograph of Christmas Island (Indian Ocean): Physical
Features and Geology by C. W. Andrews, with descriptions of
the Fauna and Flora by numerous contributors. 22 Plates
(7 Coloured), 1 Map, and 27 Illustrations in text. 1900, 8vo. 10.

Handbook of Instructions for Collectors. With Illustrations.
Third Edition. 1906, 8vo. 1s. 6d.; or in eleven separate
sections, at 3d. or 4d. each.

First Report on Economic Zoology. By F. V. Theobald. 18
Woodcuts. 1903, roy. 8vo. 6s.

Second Report on Economic Zoology. By F. V. Theobald. 29

Illustrations. 1904, roy. 8vo. 6s.
A.
114 SELECTED LIST OF THE NATURAL HISTORY PUBLICATIONS.

MAMMALS.

Catalogue of Monkeys, Lemurs, and Fruit-eating Bats. 21 Wood-
cuts. By J. E. Gray. 1870, 8vo. 4s.

Catalogue of Carnivorous, Pachydermatous, and Edentate Mammalia.
By J. E. Gray. 47 Woodcuts. 1869, 8vo. 6s. 6d.

Catalogue of Seals and Whales. By J. HE. Gray. Second Edition.
101 Woodcuts. 1866, 8vo. 8s.
Supplement. 11 Woodcuts. 1871, 8vo. 2s. 6d.

List of the Specimens of Cetacea in the Zoological Department
By W.H. Flower. 1885, 8vo. 1s. 6d.

Catalogue of Ruminant Mammalia (Pecora, Linneus). By J. E.
Gray. 4 Plates. 1872, 8vo. 3s. 6d.

Catalogue of the Marsupialia and Monotremata. By O. Thomas.
28 Plates (4 Coloured). 1888, 8vo. 11. 83.

BIRDS.
Catalogue of the Birds in the British Museum :—

Vol. VII. Passeriformes, or Perching Birds. Cichlomorphe :
Part IV. By R. Bowdler Sharpe. Woodeuts, and 15 Coloured
Plates. 1883, 8vo. 11. 6s.

Vol. VIIT. Cichlomorphe: Part V.; and Certhiomorphe.
By H. Gadow. Woodcuts, and 9 Coloured Plates. 1883, 8vo.
17s.

Vol. IX. Cinnyrimorphe. By H.Gadow. Woodcuts, and
7 Coloured Plates. 1884, 8vo. 14s.

Vol. X. Fringilliformes: Part I. By R. Bowdler Sharpe.
Woodcuts, and 12 Coloured Plates. 1885, 8vo. 11. 2s.

Vol. XI. Fringilliformes: Part II. By P. L. Sclater.
Woodcuts, and 18 Coloured Plates. 1886, 8vo. 11.

Vol. XII. ——. Fringilliformes: Part III. By R. Bowdler
Sharpe. Woodcuts, and 16 Coloured Plates. 1888, 8vo. 11. 8s.

Vol. XIII. ——. Sturniformes. Also the families Atrichiide
and Menuride. By R. Bowdler Sharpe. Woodcuts, and 15
Coloured Plates. 1890, 8vo. 11. 8s.

Vol. XIV. Oligomyode. By P. L. Sclater. Woodcuts,
and 26 Coloured Plates. 1888, 8vo. 11. 4s.

 

 

 

 

 
BIRDS. 115

BIRDS—continued.

Vol. XY. Tracheophone. By P. L. Sclater. Woodcuts,
and 20 Coloured Plates. 1890, 8vo. 11.

Vol. XVI. Picariea. Upupe and Trochili, by O. Salvin.
Coracie (part), by E. Hartert. Woodcuts, and 14 Coloured
Plates. 1892, 8vo. 11. 16s.

Vol. XVII. Coracize (contin.) and Haleyones, by R.
Bowdler Sharpe. Bucerotes and Trogones, by W. R. Ogilvie-
Grant. Woodcuts, and 17 Coloured Plates. 1892, 8vo. 1. 10s.

Vol. XVIII. Picarie. Scansores. By E. Hargitt. Woodcuts,
and 15 Coloured Plates. 1890, 8vo. 11. 6s.

Vol. XIX. Scansores and Coccyges. By P. L. Sclater and
G. E. Shelley. 13 Coloured Plates. 1891, 8vo. 11. 5s.

Vol. XX. Psittaci, or Parrots. By T. Salvadori. Woodcuts,
and 18 Coloured Plates. 1891, 8vo. 11. 10s.

Vol. XXI. Columbe, or Pigeons. By T Salvadori. 15 Coloured
Plates. 1893, 8vo. 11. 10s.

Vol. XXII. Game Birds. By W.R. Ogilvie-Grant. 8 Coloured
Plates. 1898, 8vo. 11. 6s.

Vol. XXIII. Foalicarie and Alectorides. By R. Bowdler
Sharpe. 9 Coloured Plates. 1894, 8vo. 11.

Vol. XXIV. Limicole (Wading Birds). By R. Bowdler
Sharpe. 7 Coloured Plates. 1896, 8vo. 11. 5s.

Vol. XXV. Gavie (Terns, Gulls, and Skuas), by H. Saunders.
Tubinares (Petrels and Albatrosses), by O. Salvin. Wood-
cuts, and 8 Coloured Plates. 1896, 8vo. 11. 1s.

Vol. XXVI. Platalez (Ibises and Spoonbills) and Herodiones
(Herons and Storks), by R. Bowdler Sharpe. Steganopodes
(Cormorants, Gannets, Frigate-birds, Tropic-birds, and
Pelicans), Pygopodes (Divers and Grebes), Alce (Auks), and
Impennes (Penguins), by W. R. Ogilvie-Grant. Woodcuts,
and 14 Coloured Plates. 1898, 8vo. 11. 5s.

Vol. XXVII. Chenomorphe (Palamedez, Phoenicopteri, An-
seres), Crypturi, and Ratite. By T. Salvadori. 19 Coloured
Plates. 1895, 8vo. 11. 12s.

(Volumes I. to VI. are out of print.)

 

 

 

12
116 SELECTED LIST OF THE NATURAL HISTORY PUBLICATIONS.

BIRDS—continued.

A Hand-list of the Genera and Species of Birds. By R. Bowdler

Sharpe. Vol. I. 1899, 8vo. 10s. Vol. II. 1900, 8vo. 10s,
Vol. III. 1901, 8vo. 10s. Vol. IV. 1903, 8vo. 10s.

Catalogue of the Birds’ Eggs :—

Vol. I. Ratite. Carinate (Tinamiformes—Lariformes). By
E. W. Oates. 18 Coloured Plates. 1901, 8vo. 11. 10s.

Vol. II. Carinate (Charadriiformes—Strigiformes). By E. W.
Oates. 15 Coloured Plates. 1902, 8vo. 10. 10s.

Vol. III. Carinate (Psittaciformes-—Passeriformes). By E, W.
Oates and Savile G. Reid. 10 Coloured Plates. 1903, 8vo.
1l. 5s.

Vol. IV. Carinate (Passeriformes continued). By E. W. Oates
and Savile G. Reid. 14 Coloured Plates. 1905, 8vo. 30s.

REPTILES.

Catalogue of the Chelonians, Rhynchocephalians, and Crocodiles.

New Edition. By G. A. Boulenger. 73 Woodcuts and 6 Plates.
1889, 8vo. 15s.

Catalogue of the Lizards. Second Edition. By G. A. Boulenger.
Plates. 3 Volumes. 1885-87, 8vo. Vol. I., II., 10. each
III, 1. 6s.

Catalogue of the Snakes. By G. A. Boulenger. Vol. I. 26
Woodcuts and 28 Plates. 1893, 8vo. 1l.1s. Vol.IJ. 25 Wood-
cuts and 20 Plates. 1894, 8vo. 17s. 6d. Vol. III. 37 Woodcuts
and 25 Plates. 1896, 8vo. 11. 6s.

FISHES. .

Catalogue of the Fishes. Second Edition. Vol. I. Catalogue
of the Perciform Fishes. Containing the Centrarchide, Percide,

and Serranide (part). By G. A. Boulenger. Woodcuts and
15 Plates. 1895, 8vo. 15s.

INSECTS.
Coleopterous Insects.

Illustrations of Typical Specimens of Coleoptera. Part I. Lycide.
By C. O. Waterhouse. 18 Coloured Plates. 1879, 8vo. 16s.
INSECTS. 117

INSECTS— continued.

Hymenopterous Insects.

List of Hymenoptera, with descriptions and figures of the Typical
Specimens. By W. F. Kirby. Vol. I. Tenthredinide and
Siricides. 16 Coloured Plates. 1882, 8vo. 11. 18s.

Catalogue of British Hymenoptera. By F. Smith. Second Edition.

Part I. Andrenide and Apide. [New Issue.} 11 Plates.
1891, 8vo. 6s.

Dipterous Insects.

A Monograph of the Culicide, or Mosquitoes. By F. V. Theobald.
Vols. I. and IL, with 318 Woodcuts, and Atlas of 42 Plates (37
Coloured). 1901, 8vo. 3i. 15s. Vol. IIL, 193 Woodcuts and 17
Plates. 1903, 8vo. 11. 1s.

A Monograph of the Tsetse-Flies (Genus Glossina, Westwood).
By E. E. Austen. 9 Plates (7 Coloured), 16 Woodcuts, and a
Map. 1903, roy. 8vo. 15s.

Illustrations of British Blood-sucking Flies, with Notes by E. E.
Austen. 384 Coloured Plates. 1906, roy. 8vo. 25s.

Lepidopterous Insects.

Tilustrations of Typical Specimens of Lepidoptera Heterocera. By
A. G. Butler and [Sir] G. F. Hampson. Parts V.-IX. Coloured
Plates. 1881—93, 4to. 21. to 27. 10s. a part. (Parts I-IV. out of print.)

Catalogue of the Lepidoptera Phalanw. By Sir G F.
Hampson, Bart. :—

Vol. I. Syntomide. 285 Woodcuts. 1898, 8vo. 15s. Atlas
of 17 Coloured Plates, 8vo. 15s.

Vol. II. Arctiade (Noline, Lithosiane). 411 Woodcuts.
1900, 8vo. 18s. Atlas of 18 Coloured Plates, 8vo. 15s.

Vol. III. Arctiade (Arctiane) and Agaristide. 294 Wood-
cuts. 1901, 8vo. 15s. Atlas of 19 Coloured Plates, 8vo. 16s.

Vol. IV. Noctuide (Agrotine). 125 Woodcuts. 1903, 8vo.
15s. Atlas of 23 Coloured Plates, 8vo. 16s.

Vol. V. Noctuide (Hadenine). 172 Woodcuts. 1905, 8vo.
15s. Atlas of 18 Coloured Plates, 8vo. 15s.

Catalogue of the Leech Collection of Palearctic Butterflies. By
BR. South. 2 Coloured Plates and a Portrait. 1902, 4to. 11.
Orthopterous Insects.

Synonymic Catalogue of Orthoptera. By W.F. Kirby. Vol. I.
Orthoptera Euplexoptera, Cursoria, et Gressoria. (Forficulide,
Hemimerid, Blattide, Mantide, Phasmide.) 1904, 8vo. 10s.
118 SELECTED LIST OF THE NATURAL HISTORY PUBLICATIONS.

INSECTS— continued.

Homopterous Insects.

A Synonymic Catalogue of Homoptera. Part I. Cicadida. By

W. L. Distant. 1906, 8vo. 5s.
SPIDERS.

Descriptive Catalogue of the Spiders of Burma, based upon the
Collection made by E. W. Oates and preserved in the British
Museum. By T. Thorell. 1895, 8vo. 10s. 6d.

ECHINODERMS.

Catalogue of British Echinoderms. By F. J. Bell. Woodcuts and

16 Plates. 1892, 8vo. 12s. 6d.
CORALS.

Catalogue of the Madreporarian Corals :—

Vol. I. The Genus Madrepora. By G. Brook. 35 Plates.
18938, 4to. 10. 48.

Vol. II. The Genus Turbinaria; the Genus Astreopora. By
H.M. Bernard. 33 Plates. 1896, 4to. 18s.

Vol. III. The Genus Montipora ; the Genus Anacropora. By
H. M. Bernard. 34 Plates. 1897, 4to. 1. 4s.

Vol. IV. The Family Poritide. I—The Genus Goniopora.
By H. M. Bernard. 16 Plates. 1903, 4to. 11.

Vol. V. The Family Poritide. II.—The Genus Porites.
Part I.—Porites of the Indo-Pacific Region. By H. M.
Bernard. 385 Plates. 1905, 4to. 35s.

PLANTS.
Tllustrations of Australian Plants collected in 1770 during Captain
Cook’s Voyage Round the World in H.M.S. “ Endeavour.” Being
a series of lithographic reproductions of copper-plates, with de-
scriptive text. By the Right Hon. Sir Joseph Banks, Bart., and
Dr. D. Solander. With Introduction and Determinations by
J. Britten :—
Part I. 101 Plates. 1900, fol. 25s.
Part II. 142 Plates. 1901, fol. 35s.
Part III. 77 Plates and 3 Maps. 1905, fol. 25s.
Catalogue of the African Plants collected by Dr. Friedrich
Welwitsch in 1853-61 :—
Vol. I. Dicotyledons. By William Philip Hiern. Part I.
Ranunculacew to Rhizophoracee. 1896, 8vo. 73s. 6d. Part
II. Combretaceze to Rubiaces. 1898, 8vo. 4s. Part III.
Dipsaceee to Scrophulariacee. 1898, 8vo. 5s. Part IV.
Lentibulariaceze to Ceratophyllee. 1900, 8vo. 58.
FOSSILS. 119

PLANTS—continued.

Vol. II. Monocotyledons, Gymnosperms, and Cryptogamia.
Part I. Monocotyledons and Gymnosperms. By A. B.
Rendle. 1899, 8vo. 6s. Part II. Cryptogamia. By
various Authors. 1901, 8vo. 6s.

A Monograph of Lichens found in Britain: being a Descriptive
Catalogue of the Species in the Herbarium of the British
Museum. By the Rev. J. M. Crombie. Part I. 74 Woodcuts.
1894, 8vo. 16s.

A Monograph of the Mycetozoa: being a Descriptive Catalogue
of the Species in the Herbarium of the British Museum. By
Arthur Lister. 78 Plates and 51 Woodcuts. 1894, 8vo. 15s.

FOSSILS.

Catalogue of the Fossil Mammalia. By R. Lydekker. Parts I.-V.
Woodcuts. 1885-87, 8vo. 4s. to 6s. a volume.

Catalogue of the Fossil Birds. By R. Lydekker. Woodcuts.
1891, 8vo. 10s. 6d.

Catalogue of the Fossil Reptilia and Amphibia. By R. Lydekker.
Parts I-IV. Woodcuts. 1888-90, 8vo. 7s. 6d. a volume.

Catalogue of the Fossil Fishes. By A.S. Woodward. Woodcuts
and Plates. Parts I-IV. 1889-1901, 8vo. ll. 1s. a volume.

A descriptive Catalogue of the Tertiary Vertebrata of the Fayam,
Egypt. Based on the Collection of the Egyptian Government
in the Geological Museum, Cairo, and on the Collection in the
British Museum (Natural History), London. By ©. W.
Andrews. 98 Text-Figures and 26 Plates. 1906, 4to. 11. 15s.

Systematic List of the Edwards Collection of British Oligocene
and Eocene Mollusca. By R. B. Newton. 1891, 8vo. 6s.

Catalogue of the Australasian Tertiary Mollusca. By G. F.
Harris. 8 Plates. 1897, 8vo. 10s.

Catalogue of the Fossil Cephalopoda. By A. H. Foord and G. ©.
Crick. Woodcuts. PartI. 1888, 8vo.10s.6d. PartII. 1891,
8vo. 15s. Part III. 1897, 8vo. 12s. 6d. :

List of Types of Fossil Cephalopoda. By G.O. Crick. 1898, 8vo.
2s. 6d.

A Catalogue of British Fossil Crustacea, with their Synonyms
and the Range in Time of each Genus and Order. By H.
Woodward. 1877, 8vo. 5s.
120 SELECTED LIST OF THE NATURAL HISTORY PUBLICATIONS.

FOSSILS—continued.

Catalogue of the Fossil Bryozoa. By J. W. Gregory :—
The Jurassic Bryozoa. 22 Woodcuts and 11 Plates. 1896, 8vo. 10s.

The Cretaceous Bryozoa. Vol. I. 64 Woodcuts and 17 Plates.
1899, 8vo. 16s.

Catalogue of the Blastoidea in the Geological Department. With
an account of the morphology and systematic position of the
group, and a revision of the genera and species. By R.
Etheridge, jun., and P. H. Carpenter. 20 Plates, &c. 1886,
Ato. 11. 5s.

List of Genera and Species of Blastoidea. By F. A. Bather.
1899, 8vo. 3s.

Catalogue of the Paleozoic Plants in the Department of Geology
and Paleontology. By R. Kidston. 1886, 8vo. 5s.

Catalogue of the Mesozoic Plants in the Department of Geology :—
The Wealden Flora. By A. C. Seward. Part I. Thallophyta
—Pteridophyta. 17 Woodcuts and 11 Plates. 1894, 8vo. 10s.
Part II. Gymnosperme. 9 Woodcuts and 20 Plates. 1895,
8vo. 15s.

The Jurassic Flora. By A. C.Seward. Part I. The Yorkshire
Coast. 53 Woodcuts and 21 Plates. 1900, 8vo. 11. Part II.
The Liassic and Oolitic Floras of England (excluding the
Inferior Oolitic Plants of the Yorkshire Coast). 20 Woodcuts
and 13 Plates. 1904, 8vo. 10s.

Catalogue of the Fossil Plants of the Glossopteris Flora in the
Department of Geology. Being a Monograph of the Permo-
carboniferous Flora of India and the Southern Hemisphere. By
E. A. Newell Arber. 51 Text-Figures and 8 Plates. 1905, 8vo.
12s. 6d.

 

These Publications can be purchased of Messrs. Lonemans & Co., 39,
Paternoster Row ; Mr.Quanitcu, 15, Piccadilly ; Messrs. Kucan Pavt,
Trencu, Tripver & Co., Dryden House, 43, Gerrard Street, Soho, W.;
and Messrs. Dutau & Co., 37, Soho Square; or at the Natural
History Museum, Cromwell Road, London, S.W. A more detailed
list can be obtained on application to the Director of the
Museum.
© 12.5

GUIDE-BOOKS.

A GENERAL GuipE to the British Museum (Natural History). With
58 Woodcuts, 2 Plans, and 2 Views. 8vo. 3d.

Guide to an Exhibition of Old Natural History Books, illustrating
the origin and progress of the study of Natural History up to
the time of Linnzus. 8vo. 3d.

ZOooLocicaAL DEPARTMENT.

Guide to the Galleries of Mammals. Woodcuts and 4 Plans. 8vo. 6d.
Guide to Great Game Animals. Woodcuts and 12 Plates. 8vo. 6. //—

Guide to the Gallery of Birds. 24 Plates, and 7 Illustrations in
text. Roy. 8vo. 2s. 6d.

Guide to the Gallery of Birds. Part I. General Series.
Roy. 8vo. 6d.

Guide to the: Nesting Series of British Birds. Being Part II. of
the Guide to the Gallery of Birds. 4 Plates. Roy. 8vo. 4d,

Guide to the Gallery of Reptilia and Amphibia. Illustrated by
76 text and other Figures. 8vo. 6d.

Guide to the Shell and Star-fish Galleries (Mollusca, Polyzoa,
Brachiopoda, Tunicata, Echinoderma, and Worms). 125 Wood-
cuts and 1 Plan. 8vo. 6d.

Guide to the Coral Gallery (Protozoa, Porifera or Sponges, Hydrozoa,
and Anthozoa). 82 Illustrations and 1 Plan. 8vo. 1s.

[Guides to other sections in preparation. |

GEOLOGICAL DEPARTMENT.

A Guide to the Fossil Mammals and Birds. 6 Plates and 88 Text-
Figures. 8vo. 6d.

A Guide to the Fossil Reptiles, Amphibians, and Fishes. 8 Plates
and 116 Text-Figures. 8vo. 6d.

A Guide to the Fossil Invertebrates and Plants. Part II. Insecta
to Plants, &c. 75 Woodcuts. 8vo. 6d.
122 GUIDE-BOOKS.

Mineral DEPARTMENT.

A Guide to the Mineral Gallery. With Plan. 8vo. 1d.
The Student’s Index to the Collection of Minerals. Plan. 8vo. 2d.

An Introduction to the Study of Minerals, with a Guide to the
Mineral Gallery. 41 Woodcuts and Plan. 8vo. 6d.

An Introduction to the Study of Rocks. With Plan. 8vo. 6d.

An Introduction to the Study of Meteorites, with a List of the
Meteorites represented in the Collection. With Plan. 8vo. 6d.

BoTaNicAL DEPARTMENT.

Guide to Sowerby’s Models of British Fungi. By W. G. Smith.
93 Woodcuts. 8vo. 4d.

Guide to the British Mycetozoa. By Arthur Lister. 45 Wood-
cuts. 8vo. 3d.

Books and Portraits illustrating the History of Plant Classification
exhibited in the Department of Botany. 4 Plates. 8vo. 4d.

 

The Guide-Books can be obtained only at the Natural History
Museum. Postage extra. Written communications respecting them
should be addressed to TuE Director.

 

 
( 123 )

REGULATIONS FOR THE ADMISSION OF STUDENTS.

1. The Exhibition Galleries are open free daily except on Good
Friday, Christmas Day, and any Fast or Thanksgiving Day
appointed by authority.

2. The hours of opening are:—On week-days, throughout the
year from ten in the morning—in January, November, and De-
cember till four; in February till half-past four; in March and
September till half-past five; in October till five; and in April,
May, June, July, and August till six.

On Sundays—in January, November, and December, from two
till four; in February, from two till half-past’ four ; in March and
September, from two till half-past five; in October, from two till
five; in April, from two till six; and in May, June, July, and
August, from half-past two till seven o’clock.

3. Persons desiring special facilities for study or drawing in the
Exhibition Galleries, or admission to the Study Collections, must
apply in writing to the Director of the Museum for a Student’s
ticket, specifying the profession or business, and place of abode of
the applicant, and the Department of the Museum (viz., Zoology,
Geology, Mineralogy, or Botany) to which admission is required.

4, Every such application must be made two days, at least,
before admission is required, and must be accompanied by a written
recommendation from a householder (whose address can be identi-
fied from the ordinary sources of reference), or a person of known
position, with full signature and address, stated to be given on
personal knowledge of the applicant, and certifying that he or she
will make proper use ‘of the department of Natural History to
which such admission is required.

5. If such application or recommendation be unsatisfactory, the
Director will either refuse admission, or submit the case to the
Trustees for their decision.

6. Tickets of Admission must be produced if required, and are
not transferable.

7. The privilege of admission is granted upon the following con-
ditions :—

(a) That it may be at any time suspended by the Director.
(b) That it may be at any time withdrawn by the Trustees
in their absolute discretion.

8. The hours for the Study Collections are, throughout the year,
from ten till four o’clock every day in the week, except Sunday.

9. All communications respecting the Departments of Natural
History should be addressed to—

Tue Director,
Britisa Museum (Natura. History),

CroMWELL Roap,
Lonpon, 8. W.
( 124 )

Numer or Visitors To THE MusEUM FROM THE DATE OF OPENING
(18TH Apri, 1881).

1881 ae . " is 231,284
1882 : - - - i. 278,027
1883 - o . . 7 277,331
1884 7 . > 3 * 375,231
1885 . v . Z 421,350
1886 és " - ” ‘3 382,742
1887 - . - - e 358,178
1888 7 és . . ” 372,802
1889 Z " : 7 ‘ 361,046
1890 (s 7 ‘ c . 355,682
1891 : - Zn : - 375,906
1892 , e 2 - 351,917
1893 : ss ie : f 408,208
1894 z , ‘ : 413,572
1895 ; i S 2 2, 446,737
1896 - ‘ f _ 453,956
1897 ‘ e 2 - as 422,607
1898 " - . . a 419,004
1899 . = 2 Bs : 422,290
1900 7 z - a - 485,288
1901 a . 7 ; 7 417,691
1902 2) - s 7 f 433,619
1903 a 6 : : - 486,733
1904 2 a ‘ “ s 470,557

1905 3 a “s 2 a8 566,313
( 125 )

v

Number oF VISITS TO PARTICULAR DEPARTMENTS FOR THE
PURPOSE OF STUDY.

 

 

Zoology. Geology. Mineralogy. | Botany.
1883... . 5,229 2,453 617 1,023
A884. 6 4 on 8 6,818 1,991 651 993
1885. . . 8,313 1,959 626 1,105
1886... . 8,372 2,466 761 1,026
1887. . . 8,955 3,290 620 1,483
1888... . 8,797 8,111 733 2,214
1889. . . . 8,360 3,339 683 1,344
1890. . . . 9,034 3,771 623 1,244
1891... . 9,443 2,961 946 2,226
1892. . . . | 10,932 | 4,107 1,751 2,585
1893... 10,872 4,955 | 1,714 2,274
1894... . 10,730 5,176 1,994 -2,129
1895. . . . 8,189 5,986 2,073 2,206
1896. . . . 7,995 5,953 1,841 2,555
1897. . . 9,708 4,889 1,248 2,718
TQO8i a sy ar 10,830 5,234 1,173 2,940
1899. . . . 10,728 4,479 1,264 2,649
1900. . . . 11,923 4,447 1,314 2,380
W901 wc cu es 12,813 4,573 1,295 2,392
1902. . . . 10,633 4,135 1,366 2,068
19038. . . . 11,627 4,601 1,541 2,108
1904... . 11,824 4,854 909 2,358
1905. . . . 11,811 4,968 994 1,939

 

 

 

 

 

E. RAY LANKESTER, Director.
LONDON:
PRINTED BY WILLIAM CLOWES AND SONS, LIMITED,
DUKE STREET, STAMFORD STREET, S.E., AND GREAT WINDMILL STREET, W.
 

 

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‘BRETISH MUSEUM
—* (NATURAL HISTORY).

'

DAYS AND HOURS OF ADMISSION. .

The Exhibition Galleries are open to the Public free daily.
On Wesx-pays, throughout the year from 10 a.m., in

January, till 4 PM.
February, » 4,30 ,,
March, » 5.30,,
April to August, so 8 Se
September, ; » 5.30,,
October, ee ee

November and December, , 4 ,,

also, on Mondays and Saturdays only, from the beginning of
May to the middle of July, till 8 p.m., and from the middle
of July to the end of August, till 7 p.m.

On Sunpays, in

January, from 2 to 4 PM
February, a O24 48O’=,
March, ge 12! a BOs
April, se ey BE yy
May to August, sp OO ag, “Fay
September, 33 Oo ip BSBOs,
October, a 2 ogy BE gs
November and December, je (ZO ge. “AR gy

The Museum is closed on Good Friday and Christmas Day.

By Order of the Trustees,
E. RAY LANKESTER,

Director,

 

LONDON : PRINTED BY WM. CLOWES AND SONS, LTD,, DUKE ST,, STAMFORD ST., S.F,, AND GREAT WINDMILL ST. W.
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