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TO THE

BRITISH MUSEUM (NATURAL HISTORY)

GROMWELL ROAD, LONDON, S.W.

WITII PLANS AND VIEWS OF THE BUILDING.

 

PRINTED BY ORDER OF THE TRUSTEES.
' 1893.

Price Threepence.

may.
.pua

V LONDON :
PRIXTED BY WILLIAM CLOWES AND SONS, LIMITED,
STAMFORD STREET AND CHARING (moss.

 

 

 

 

THE NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM, OROMWELL ROAD, FROM THE SOUTH-WEST, SHOWING PART OF THE WEST FRONT, NOT YET COMPLETED.

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS.

———o<>o__

HISTORICAL INTRODUCTION.
DESCRIPTION OF THE BUILDING.
OBJECTS OF THE MUSEUM AND GENERAL ARRANGEMENT
OF ITS CONTENTS
TOPOGRAPHICAL DESCRIPTION OF THE MUSEUM AND ITS
CONTENTS ..
CENTRAL I'IALL .. ..
GALLERY OF BRITISH ZOOLOGY
STAIRCASE AND CORRIDORS
WEST WING
Ground Floor
Bird Gallery
Coral Gallery
Fish Gallery
Insect Gallery
Reptile Gallery
Star-fish Gallery ..
Shell Gallery
Cetacea Gallery
First Floor
Gallery of Stuffed Mammals
Second Floor.. ..
Gallery of Skeletons of Mammal; ..
EAST W ING .. .. ..
Ground Floor .. ..
Palaeontological Collections
First Floor . .
Mineralogical Collections ..
Second Floor.
Botanical Collections
STAFF OF THE NATURAL HISTORY BRANCH OF THE
BRITISH MUSEUM.
SELECTED LIST OF PUBLICATIONS

GUIDE BOOKS
REGULATIONS FOR ADMISSION OF STUDEN'I S..
NUMBER OF VISITORS TO THE MUSEUM.

PAGE

10

16

78

DAYS AND HOURS OF ADMISSION TO MUSEUM on back of cover.

 

GENERAL GUIDE

TO

THE BRITISH MU SE U M
(NATURAL HISTORY).

 

HISTORICAL INTRODUCTION.

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 0r 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 Cottom'an 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, Sloane'
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—

Montagu
House.
Bloomsbury.

(.
(H

8 . , HISTORICAL INTRODUCTION.

«
,.,(., n

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.”

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 Harleian Collection was obtained by purchase at
the same time as the Sloanian, and the three were brought
together under the designation of “ the British Museum,” placed
under the care of a body of trustees,"é 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 each of three hours in the day. Visitors were not
allowed to inspect the cases at their leisure, but were conducted
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

* The Trustees under the Act of Incorporation were the Archbishop of
Canterbury, the Lord Chancellor, the Speaker of the House of Commons, the
Bishop Of London, and the principal Ofi’icers 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.

HISTORICAL INTRODUCTION. 9

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 Growth of
demands for more space, and after much discussion of rival 32:22:21?“
plans for keeping the collections together and obtaining the additional
needful extension of room by acquiring the property immediately Space”
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- Resolution to
tion, moved by the First Lord of the Treasury, was carried figfggf
“That it is expedient that the Natural History Collection be History
removed from the British Museum, inasmuch as such an arrange- c°u°°n°m
ment would be attended with considerably less expense than would

be incurred by providing a sufilcient additional space in immediate

contiguity to the present building of the British Museum.”

The House of Commons, in the Session of 1863, sanctioned Purchase ofa
the purchase of part of the site of the International Exhibition figzsggspofih
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 demgns’
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 Professor Owen’s suggestions, being pro-
posed as a model in respect to dimensions and internal arrange-
ment.

The plans of the various competitors were submitted to Her captain
Majesty’s Commissioners of Works, who awarded prizes to three “WW“ P1“
of the number, giving precedence to that of Captain Francis
Fowke, RE, 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.

Mr. Water-
house
engaged.

Completion of

building and

removal of
Collections.

Description of

the building.

1 0 HISTORICAL INTRODUCTION.

Early in the year 1866, Mr. Alfred Waterhouse was invited by ‘
the Chief Commissioner of Works to take up the unfinished work
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. . _

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 Commissioner of Works in the
month of June, 1880. Immediately that the exhibition cases
were completed, and the galleries were sufficiently 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
complete 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 last that was opened was
the gallery devoted to British Zoology, in May, 1886.

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

DESCRIPTION or THE BUILDING. 11

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-
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
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
great central apartment of the Museum (170 feet long, by 97 feet
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

* 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).

Exterior.

Interior.
Central Hall.

Side galleries.

Towers.

12 DESCRIPTION or THE BUILDING.

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
arches under the side flights of the main staircase at the end of
the hall lead into another large apartment, cruciform on plan,
intended for the exhibition of specimens of British Natural
History, 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 amanner 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 alfected 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 Palaeontology, 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

 

F CENTRAL HALL.

VIEW 0

 

DESCRIPTION OF THE BUILDING. 15

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 Palaeontology
find a home, the terra-cotta ornamentation has been derived
from extinct specimens.

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

The space covered by the building itself, including the Space occu:
detached portion behind, which contains the collections of Eggs; bmld'
animals preserved in spirit, is nearly four acres. grounds-

The whole ground on which the Museum stands, including the
gardens which surround it on the south, east and west sides, is
12 acres and 635 yards. The gardens are open to the public
whenever the Museum itself is open, under certain regulations

which are posted at the entrance gates.

Use of the
term Natural
History.

16 OBJECTS OF THE MUSEUM AND

OBJECTS OF THE MUSEUM AND GENERAL ARRANGE-
MENT OF ITS CONTENTS.

NATURAL 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 the materials of
which it is composed which are independent of the agency of
man.

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

This distinction afforded a convenient and rational basis for
the division of the numerous and multifarious objects which
were collected together in the old building of the Museum at
Bloomsbury. When it was decided, for the causes described in
the previous chapter, to effect a separation of the collections,
those that were purely the products of what are commonly.
called “natural” forces were removed to the new building'at
South Kensington, while all those which showed the effects
of Man’s handiwork remained at Bloomsbury. 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 will legitimately find a place
in a Museum of Natural History, especially as they may afford
illustrations of the mode of working of natural laws.

Processes or laws cannot, however, be—satisfactorily demon-
strated in a museum; therefore such branches of knowledge as
deal chiefly with them, as Astronomy, Physics, Geology (in
the stricter sense of the word), and the experimental sciences,
as Chemistry and Physiology, though essentially belonging to
the domain of Natural History, have not found a place here. It
is only the results of the working of these processes or laws, as
shown in the modifications of the arrangement of the elementary
substances of which the material of the Universe is composed

GENERAL ARRANGEMENT OF ITS CONTENTS. 17

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 upon the earth 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
which have led 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 complete an illustrative series of
them as possible.

Although the validity of the old division of all natural objects Division into
. Mineral,
into inorganic and organic or living has been the subject of Vegetable
some discussion, and although the separation of the latter into and Animal-
vegetable and animal is perhaps less absolute than was once
supposed, yet for practical purposes, MINERAL, VEGETABLE, and
ANIMAL still 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, liquid, or Mineralogical
solid form. With very few exceptions, it is only in the latter De e'partment
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 speci-
mens of this kind is the office of the Mineralogical Department
of the Museum, to which 1s devoted the large gallery on the first
floor of the east wing of the building.

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

III. In the same way the animal kingdom belongs to the Zoological
department of Zoology, to which is assigned the whole of the Derment-
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

0

Geological
Department.

Introductory
Collection.

The specimens
all arrangedin
three series.

18 OBJECTS OF THE MUSEUM AND

existence to a period of scientific culture in which 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 the 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 reservedf"
The result is that there are now two distinct zoological and
botanical collections in the building, one containing the re-
mains of all the animals and plants which have 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 con-
taining only those living at the particular period in which we
dwell. Notwithstanding the objections which may be urged
against this primary division of living things, it is one which
prevails largely in museums, and which, owing to certain con-
veniences, as well as to the difficulty and expense of re—
arranging extensive collections and reorganising the staff in
charge of them, will probably be retained for some time to come.

Besides the four above—mentioned departments, into which the
collection is divided for the purposes of custody and administra-
tion, each of which is under the charge of an officer called “ keeper ”
and aVSpecial staff of assistants, there is a fifth, at present under
the immediate supervision of the Director, and arranged in the
Central Hall, which is intended to be an introduction to all the
others. The formation of this has only recently commenced,
and owing to the difficulty of procuring the most illustrative
specimens when required, and the time needed for their pre-
paration and arrangement, some years must elapse before it
can be completed. -

When the last-named collection is more fully developed, the
whole of the specimens contained in the Museum, whether
Animal,Vegetable or Mineral, will be arranged in three distinct
series, each having its definite end and purpose.

* Palaeontology, or the study of ancient living beings, 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.

GENERAL ARRANGEMENT or ITS CONTENTS. 19

I. An Elementary or Introductory Series, by which the Introductory
study of every group should commence, in which the leading ggflgmmm
features of the structure, and, as far as may be, the development
of the various parts of some of its most typical members, are
demonstrated in a clear and simple manner, and the terms used
in describing and defining them explained by means of
illustrative examples. This has been already 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 zoological and
botanical collections has just been referred to as under arrange-
ment in the Central Hall.

II. The Exhibited Systematic Series, in which the most Exhibited
. . . Systematic
important types of animal, plant, or m1nera1 forms are shown, Series.
by means of carefully—selected and well—preserved specimens,
arranged in a systematic manner, or one which exhibits, as far
as may be, their natural relations to each other. Classification is
an important feature in this series, which should be so complete
and so arranged as to ensure that every visitor to the Museum
can find, without recourse to assistance from the officials, every
well-known and very distinct form of animal, plant or mineral,
and satisfy himself about, at least, its external characters. In
carrying out this ideal, great modifications must be made in
practice, partly depending upon the readiness, or the reverse,
with which the members of different groups lend themselves
for exhibition, partly upon the exigencies of space, and partly
upon special circumstances which render the exhibition of the
leading forms of some groups of more interest than those of
another.

While the two series above mentioned have for their object
the dzflusion of scientific knowledge, the next ministers mainly
to its advancement, and thus between them the twofold object of
aNational Museum of Natural History is carried out.

III. The Reserve or Study Systematic Series contains all Reserve or
those exceedingly numerous specimens (in many groups, the 3th t'
great bulk of the collection) showing the minute distinctions Seyriesl.Ila m
which are 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 geo-

c 2

20 OBJECTS or THE MUSEUM AND

logical 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 expeditions sent to explore unknown lands, to work
out biological problems of the highest scientific importance, and
generally to advance the knowledge of the science. In fact
these reserVe collections, occupying comparatively little room,
kept up at comparatively little cost, and visited by compara-
tively 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
they afford, the order, arrangement, and power of imparting
knowledge, which the exhibition galleries possess, 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 very many times larger
than the present one would not suffice to contain them; the
specimens themselves would be quite inaccessible to the exami—
nation of all those capable of deriving instruction from them, and
owing to the disastrous effects of exposure to light upon the
greater number of preserved natural objects, would ultimately
lose almost everything that now gives them value. This portion
of the collection must, in fact, be treated as are the books in a
library, and only used for consultation and reference by duly
accredited students.*

In some parts of the Museum the reserve collections are con—
tained in drawers beneath the cases in which the corresponding
exhibited portion is placed. This applies principally to the
palaeontological specimens, the shells, and the minerals. The
reserve birds and insects have special rooms devoted to them,

* For conditions as to admission and regulation, see p. 77.

GENERAL ARRANGEMENT OF ITS CONTENTS. 2].

and the extensive series of reptiles, fishes, and other animals
preserved in spirit, are 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 Harms siccus.

The great bulk of the specimens being arranged in these Supplement-
three series, there might still be supplementary collections for Sir-13°11”
facilitating the study of the distribution of animals and plants,
and perhaps also of minerals, 1n space and in time. 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 as far as
may be in chronological order.

The only attempt hitherto made at exhibiting a geographical Geographical.
series in the Museum is the special collection of animals of the
British Isles, arranged in a room on the ground floor behind the
great staircase of the Central Hall. It would be impossible in
the present building to find room for any further geographical
collections, however interesting and instructive they might be.

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 great difficulties
in accurately determining the correspondence in age of forma-
tions occurring in distant parts of the earth’s surface; hence
a large and varied palaeontological collection, such as that of
the British Museum, must be arranged in the main upon a
systematic or zoological and botanical basis. A limited but
instructive series, showing the most characteristic rock forma-
tions with their included fossil remains, of the British Isles,
placed in chronological sequence, is arranged in one of the
galleries of the Geological Department.

Central Hall.

Skeleton of
Sperm-whale.

22 BRITISH MUSEUM (NATURAL HISTORY)

TOPOGRAPHICAL DESCRIPTION OF THE MUSEUM
AND ITS CONTENTS.

IN following this short account of the contents of the various
sections of the building, the visitor must bear in mind that the
principal front faces the south, and that therefore on entering
the great hall he will be looking due north, with the east on
his right, and the west on his left hand.

THE CENTRAL HALL.

In the centre of the entrance hall is placed a specimen
of the bony framework of one of the most colossal of animals,
for which space cannot at present be found in its proper
locality—the Cetacean gallery. It is the skeleton of the
Cachalot, or Sperm-whale (Physeter macroccphalus), prepared
from an animal cast ashore near Thurso, on the north coast of
Scotland, in July, 1863, on the estate of Capt. D. Macdonald, RE,
by whom it was presented to the Museum. The Sperm-Whale
is the principal source of supply of the sperm oil and spermaceti
of commerce. The former is obtained 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. It feeds chiefly on Cephalopods (squid
and cuttlefish), and also fish, and is widely distributed through-
out the warm and temperate regions of both Atlantic and Pacific
Oceans. The skeleton is that of a full—grown animal. It
measures fifty feet one inch in length, but wants three of the
vertebrae from the end of the tail.

In order to render this skeleton more instructive, and to
bring it into relation with the elementary specimens of osteology
in the adjoining ba)r (No. I., west side), the names of the
principal parts have been attached to them. This will enable
the anatomist to trace at a glance the extraordinary modifica-
tions in the form and relations of its component bones which the
huge skull has undergone, and will show in the clearest manner

INTRODUCTORY COLLECTION. 23

to the least instructed visitor that the so—called fin or flipper of
the whale is composed of all the same parts—shoulder, elbow,
wrist, and fingers—as his own arm and hand. The hind limbs
are entirely absent; but two bones are seen suspended at some
distance from the spinal column, which represent the pelvic or
hip bones of other animals. In some species of whales there
are even traces of the thigh, knee-joint, and leg attached to this,
and like it deeply buried within the body Of the animal.

The cases placed on the floor of the hall around the skeleton
of the whale illustrate general laws or points of interest in
Natural History which do not come appropriately within the
systematic collections Of the departmental series.

One group, in a case near the entrance to the hall, shows Group illus-
the great variation to which .a species may become subject 333%”
under the influence of domestication, as illustrated by choice under Domes-
examples of the best marked breeds of Pigeons, all of which mamn'
have been derived by careful selection from the wild Rock
Dove (Columba livia), specimens Of which are shown at the top

of the case.

A case placed on the left of this illustrates a remarkable Group ofRufi's
instance of external variation in the two sexes and at different 9nd 3993’“,
seasons, not under the influence of domestication. The birds in Eiffiif’éifi.
it all belong to one species, the Buff (Machetes language), of which 3mm ”cud'

. . . . , mg to sex and
the female is called Reeve, belonging to the Snipe family season.
(Scolopacidce). In the upper division of the case are shown the
eggs, newly-hatched young, young males and females in the first
autumn plumage, and old males and females in winter, when
both sexes are exactly alike in colour, size only distinguishing
them. The large group occupying the lower part of the 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 coloration, 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 may
be observed, which is rare among animals in a wild state (though
so common among domesticated races), that of striking diversity
of colour in different individuals. As many as twenty-three
specimens are shown in the case, no two being entirely alike.

Cases illus-
trating
Adaptation of
Colour to
surrounding
Conditions.

Case illustrat.
ing Protective
Resemblances
and Mimicry.

24 CENTRAL HALL.

On the same side of the hall follow two cases which illustrate
the adaptation of the colour of animals to their natural sur—
roundings, by means of which they are rendered less con-
spicuous to their enemies or their prey. The first contains a
specimen of a mountain or variable Hare (the common species
of the North of Europe), a Stoat, and a Weasel, some Willow
Grouse and Ptarmigan in their summer dress, obtained in the
neighbourhood of Christiania in the month of July, showing the
general harmony of their coloration at this season to that of the
rocks and plants among which they live. The second case
shows the same species of animals obtained from the same spot
in mid-winter, when the ground was completely covered with
snow. Such complete changes as those here shown only occur
in latitudes and localities where the differences between the
general external conditions in the different seasons are extreme,
where the snow completely disappears in summer and remains
continuously on the ground during the greater part 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, Greenland
Falcon, and Snowy Owl (of which a specimen is shown on the
wing in the upper part of the winter case), the white colour is
retained throughout the year. The whiteness 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 nearest the great staircase contains further examples
of a subject attracting much attention among naturalists at the
present time—Protective Resemblances and Mimicry. The
simplest form, that of conformity of general style of colouring to
surrounding conditions, is seen in the group at the‘bottom of the
case, consisting of some of the commoner birds, mammals, and

_ reptiles of the Egyptian desert, placed upon the stones and sand

amid which they habitually live. The advantage of this colouring
in concealing the herbivorous species from their enemies, and
enabling the carnivorous to approach their prey unperceived, is
obvious. Many excellent cases of concealment by adaptation to

INTRODUCTORY COLLECTION. 25

environment, 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 examples in the upper part of the case, of insects which closely
resemble the inanimate objects, as leaves, twigs, &c., among which
they dwell. The close imitation of a dead leaf, presented by
the butterfly (Kallima inachz's), 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 an-
other living animal, belonging to a different species, family, or
even order. The resemblance in these cases 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 appear-
ances can only be regarded at present as conjectural. Whatever
be the real explanation, the facts shown by the specimens in this
case are very curious, and well worthy of careful consideration.
The next case contains a series of specimens illust1atin0 albinism Group mus.
a condition in which the pigment or colouring matter, usually gagggm
present in the tissues constituting the external covering of the '
body, and which gives them their characteristic hue, is absent.
Individuals in this condition occur among many animals of
various kinds, and are called “ albinos.” In some of the speci-
mens shown in the case the albinism is complete, but in many
it is partial, the absence of colouring matter being limited to
p01tions of the surface only ,
A seventh case shows examples of the Opposite condition, Group illus—
called melanism, depending upon an excess of dark-coloured fitffnim‘
pigment in the skin and its appendages, the hair, feathers, etc.,
beyond what is normally 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 1s intro-
duced as an example of acquired melanism, the bird having
turned black 1n captivity. Group illus-
The last group shows that two forms of Crows which appear gz‘giiggelnter-

quite distinct, and which, judged by their external characters, ,lléoimsin
sure.

Bays or

Alcoves round
the HalL

26 CENTRAL HALL.

might be held to be different species, may in a state of nature
unite, and produce offspring of a perfectly intermediate cha-
racter. In the same case is also a series of Goldfinches, showing
a complete gradation between birds of different coloration, and
which have naturally been held to be 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 out-
ward garbs; but from whatever point of view they are regarded,
they illustrate the difficulty, continually increasing as know-
ledge increases, of defining and limiting the meaning of the
term “ species,” of such constant use in biology.

The bays or alcoves round the hall, five on each side, are
devoted to the Introductory or Elementary Morphological Col—
lectiOn, designed to teach the most important points in the
structure of the principal types of animal and plant life, and
the terms used in describing them, all which should be known
before the systematic portion of the collection can be studied
with advantage. 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 what it has developed into.
It is really more like the general introduction, which almost
always precedes the systematic portion of treatises on any
branch of natural history. As mentioned before (p. 18), this
collection is at present far from complete; in fact, only in its ‘
infancy; and as nothing exactly like it has been exhibited in
any public museum before, it will, as its formation goes on, be
subject to much modification and improvement; but it is hoped
that it may ultimately serve as a guide for the formation of
educational biological museums elsewhere. The space being
strictly limited, the number of illustrative specimens is neces—
sarily restricted, probably to the advantage of the student, at
all events in the earlier part of his career. 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
all 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

INTRODUCTORY COLLECTION. 2 7

devoted to the Vertebrated Animals, or those possessing a
“backbone.” In Nos. I. and II. are shown the characters of
the Mammalian modifications of this type. The wall-cases of
No. I. are already nearly filled with 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 of the class—a large fiifigfis‘ff
monkey, with all the bones separated, laid out on a tablet, and
with their names affixed to them. Below it 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 a fair idea may be obtained of the general frame-
work of the body 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 the fore—limbs are
converted into wings by the great elongation of the fingers,
which support a web of skin stretched between them.

3. A Sloth, in which the ends of all the limbs are reduced to
mere hooks, by which the creature hangs back—downwards 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
allvfour limbs in the “plantigrade ” position, ’i.6., 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.

6. A Porpoise, adapted solely for swimming in the water.
The fore limbs are converted into flattened paddles, and the
hind limbs are 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 medifications. At the top are diagrams of the
structure of bone and cartilage as shown by the microscope.

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

Skeletons of
Man and
Horse.

Teeth of
Mammals.

28 CENTRAL HALL.

diagram showing the correspondence of the hand and the foot
in its complete typical form, with the names applied by
anatomists to the different bones. The series of specimens
below show the principal deviations which actually occur from
the typical condition, which, as will be seen, is very nearly
preserved in the human hand. One interesting series shows
some of the stages of modification for special purpose (specializa-
tion) by which a typical five-fingered hand becomes converted
into that of the single-fingered Horse, and another series ends with
the hand of the ruminants, with only two fingers remaining, some—
times, but erroneously, called a “ cloven hoof.” Similar changes
are shown in the toes of the hinder extremity, 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 thought to be
due to inheritance from a common ancestor.

In a large case at the back of the bay are the skeletons of a
man and of a horse, arranged 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 care-
fully mounted, and, when dry, divided in the middle line, and
one half, lined with black velvet, 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 to them, a careful study of this group affords not only
an instructive lesson in comparative anatomy, but will also, it
is hoped, be of practical utility to the artist.

The central case of the bay contains a collection illustrat-
ing the principal characters of the teeth in the Mammalia.
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. 1n the first division
specimens are placed showing the general characters of
teeth, their form, the different tissues of which they are
composed, the two great types of dentition in mammals,
homodont and heterodont, the nomenclature and homologies of the

INTRODUCTORY COLLECTION. 29

different teeth, and their development and succession. The
principal modifications of teeth according to their 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 select examples of the dentition of all the
different families of mammals arranged in systematic order,
prepared so as to display not only the shape of the crowns, but
also the number and character of the roots by which they are
implanted.

Bay No. II. contains, in its first wall-case (the only one yet Bay II.
occupied), illustrations of the outer covering or integument and :ffiifififdlg.
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 true 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 great extinct species
(Glyptodon) shows well a bony external as well as 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 Mamdoe.

4. Hair in various forms, including bristles and spines. A
stuffed specimen of a Porcupine at the bottom of the case
affords a good illustration of a spiny covering. The two
kinds of hair composing the external clothing of most mam—
mals, 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 nasal horns of the Rhinoceros, shown 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-

Bay III.
General
structure
of Birds.

30 CENTRAL HALL.

tions, covered during growth with soft vascular hairy skin, and
shed and renewed annually.

On the wall at the back of the bay is placed a series of
antlers of the Common Stag or Red Deer (Cert-us elaphus), grown
and shed in six successive years, showing the changes which
took place in their size and form, and the development of the
branches or tynes in each year.

The other systems of organs of the class will occupy the
remainder of this bay.

Bay No. III. is devoted to the class of Birds. An Albatross
(Diomedea exuloms) mounted with the wings expanded, shows
the most important characters by which a bird is externally
distinguished from other animals. The surface of 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. An Emu and Apteryx show 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
functionless. In the Penguin, the wings are reduced to the
condition of fins, and are only serviceable for progression
through the water.

In the first wall—case the principal facts in the osteology of the
class are shown. Sections of bones exhibit the large air cavities
within; a complete skeleton of an Eagle, with the bones sepa- '
rated and named, and mounted skeletons of the Ostrich, Penguin,
Pelican, Vulture, Fowl, &c., show the chief modifications of the
skeleton. The Apteryx shows the smallest, and the Frigate
bird the largest bones of the wing, the correspondence 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, followed by a series of the different types of sternum
or breast-bone.

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

INTRODUCTORY COLLECTION. 31

principal modifications of all these parts, can easily be followed
out by any one wishing to become acquainted with them.

Bays IV. and V. completing the west side of the hall, will, Contents of
in a similar manner, show the most important points in the Biymg
structure of reptiles, amphibia and fishes. In the latter has °°mP1°t°d
already been placed a very fine skeleton of the Great Blue Shark
(Carcharodon randeletii) from New Zealand, with the names of
all the parts affixed to them.

Of the bays on the east side of the hall, No. VI. is for the

illustrations of the articulated classes, Crustacea, Arachnida,
Myriopoda and Insecta, as well as of the Annulosa and Vermes.
The table case contains an extensive series of preparations
showing the structure of insects. N 0. VII. is for the Mollusca,
Echinodermata, Coelenterata, Porifera and Protozoa. In this
bay the arrangement of the series illustrating the general
characters of the shells of Mollusca is nearly complete. The
remaining three, VIII., IX., and X., are for the morphology
of the vegetable kingdom: the first containing the Cryptogams,
the next the Gymnosperms and the Monocotyledons, and the
last the Dicotyledons. By this arrangement the lowest or
simplest forms of animal or plant life, those on the border—
land, as it were, of the two kingdoms, will be brought into
contact, and at the two ends of the series, in Bays I. and X.,
will be found the groups which show in the highest degree
the special attributes of the division to which they belong.

In Bay VIII. are illustrations of the general characters of cryptogams-
the Cryptogams, one of the two great sub-kingdoms of the plant
world, and distinguished from the Phanerogams—the flowering
or seed-plants—by the absence of a seed. Except in some of
the lowest forms sexual reproduction occurs, but the oospore,
the result of the union of the male and female cells, does not
develop into an embryo and remain enclosed within a seed-coat
formed from the tissue of the mother plant.

In the first group of Cryptogams which occupies the wall-case
on the left, the plant shows no distinction into root, stem, and
leaf, but consists of a more or less uniform structure called a
Thallus; hence the name Thallophytes. The lowest forms, or
Protophg/tes, are unicellular organisms, and can only be repre-
sented in such a collection by considerably magnified drawings.

Bay IX.
Gymnosperms
and Mono-
cotyledons.

32 CENTRAL HALL.

Here, as in all the Thallophytes, we distinguish two divisions,
one of green or chlorophyll~containing plants like Protococcus,
which lead an independent existence, and another of colourless
plants like Bacteria, which, having no chlorophyll, are doomed
to a parasitic mode of life.

The rest of the case is devoted to the Algae, Fungi, and
Lichens. The Algae contain chlorophyll, the greencolour of
which is sometimes obscured by a red or brown colouring
matter, and include the sea-weeds as well as many fresh-water
plants. The fungi have no chlorophyll, but live as parasites
on living organisms, 6.9., Rhytisma accm’num, which forms black
spots on maple leaves, or as saprophytes on dead or decaying
organic matter, 6.9., Penicillium. The Lichens are composite
organisms, consisting of a fungal and an algal element, which
live together.

The second group, or Bryophytes, including Mosses and
Liverworts, will occupy the central case (not yet arranged),
Except in the lower forms of these, a main axis, or stem and
leaves borne upon it, can be distinguished.

In the third group, or Pteridophytes, including Ferns and
their allies, which occupy the right-hand wall-case, the plant
body shows a marked distinction into a stem or ascending axis
bearing leaves, and a root or descending axis. They are also
called Vascular Cryptogams, as they contain systems of vessels
forming bundles of wood and bast, not found in the two other
groups, which are therefore known as Cellular Cryptogams.
The last two bays are devoted to the great group of Phanerogams
or seed-plants, Where, besides the distinction of stem, leaf, and
root, and the development of vascular tissue, we find a structure
unknown in the Cryptogams, viz., the seed, where the embryo,
or commencement of a new individual, is developed within and
protected by one or more envelopes (seed-coats), consisting of
tissues of the mother plant.

The left-hand portion of this bay contains specimens of the
smaller division of seed-plants, the Gymnosperms, in which the
pollen falls directly on the naked ovule. In the wall-case the
upper row of specimens illustrates the form of the leaf, While
the lower deals with the stem and root. The internal structure
of these is demonstrated by means of large sections. Important

INTRODUCTORY COLLECTION. 33

details in structure form the subject of the drawings in the
upper part of the case. In the left-hand side of the central case
are specimens of the flower and fruit. The Cycads are Of
special interest, demonstrating the leaf nature of the carpel or
ovule—bearing organ.

Passing tO the right—hand portion of the bay, we come to the
angiospermous division Of seed—plants, in which the pollen
penetrates the stigma and fertilises the ovule in a closed
chamber or ovary, which develops into the fruit enclosing the
seed. Here we find the smaller class of Angiosperms, known
as Monocotyledons, and characterised by a single seed—leaf or
cotyledon, and foliage leaves with more or less parallel veins,
without the irregular network found in a dicotyledonous leaf. An
upper series in the wall—case illustrates the leaf, while below
the characters of the stem and root are shown. Some anatomi—
cal drawings are placed in the upper part Of the case. The
right—hand half Of the central case contains specimens Of
the flower, fruit, and seed; wax models are here frequently
employed. Among these will be noticed many grasses and
sedges, which, with the palms, aroids, orchids, and liliaceous
plants, form the bulk Of the Monocotyledons. ,

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

The last bay contains the Dicotyledons, characterised by aBay X.
pair of cotyledons and foliage leaves With an irregularly netted Di°°ty1°d°ns'
venation. Here also the arrangement of the vegetative parts Of
the plant is based on its differentiation into root, stem, and leaf.
In the two wall-cases the upper series Of specimens illustrates
the leaf, its form, veining, duration, the characters of its stalk
and stipules, its modification for special purposes, and its
arrangement on the stem and in the bud. In the lower row
the root and stem are similarly treated, and above are some
anatomical drawings.

In the central case the chief types of the flower with its
parts, the fruit and the seed are exhibited.

A small space at the end of the bay is assigned to Hairs,
Prickles, and similar structures, which are divided into two

classes—Ta'ichomes, or hairs proper, in which only the outer
D

 

Gallery of
British
Zoology.

34 . . CENTRAL HALL.

cell—layer (epidermis) of an organ takes part; and Emmymccs,
in which tissues beneath the epidermis are also concerned. At
the back of the bay is a large transverse section of the Karri tree
(Eucalyptus divev‘sicolor) of Western Australia, which grows to
a height of 400 feet. The tree, of which this is a section, was
about 200 years old when out down.

The Introductory Collection of Minerals will be found in the
gallery devoted to that department of the collection (see p. 54).

GALLERY or BRITISH ZOOLOGY.

At the north end of the Central Hall, with entrances on either
side of the great staircase, is alarge room containing a collection
of animals of all classes, which are, or have been in recent times,
found in the British Isles, either as permanent residents, or as
regular migrants or occasional visitors. The animal inhabitants
of any country or district are collectively termed its “fauna.”
Cur country in this respect belongs to the great zoographical
region called Palaearctic, 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 con-
tinental tracks. Their numbers can only increase under very
exceptional circumstances, but, on the contrary, have a
tendency to diminish, as the growth of human population and
increase of the area of cultivated land gradually circumscribe
their native haunts. In this way, the Brown Bear, the Wolf, the
Beaver and the Wild Boar have all disappeared from Britain
within the historic period, and others, as the Badger, Marten
and Wild-cat, with difficulty maintain a somewhat precarious
existence. These have all been originally derived from the main-
land of Europe, probably before the formation of the channel
which now makes our country an island. The wider and older
channel which separates Ireland from Great Britain has proved
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,

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BRITISH ZOOLOGY. 35

Water and Land Vole, Common Hare, Roedeer, as well as
Snakes and Toads) never having crossed it, unless by aid of
human agency.

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, and doubts as to the authenticity of some of the
recorded occurrences make the list rather a vague and uncertain
one. The constitution of the marine fauna in the same way is
continually liable to undergo fluctuations.

Slight but permanent variations from the continental type
can be recognised in a few of our indigenous species, the
most marked among vertebrated animals being the common
Red Grouse (Lagopus scoticus), and several species of fresh-
water fishes, mostly belonging to the genus Salmo. Some
of these have an extremely local distribution, being only
found in some small groups of mountain lakes. Many
species, or at all events, well-marked varieties of insects, and
a few land and fresh-water molluscs, have at present been only
found within the limits of our islands.

The upright cases on the south side of the room, between the
two entrances, contain the larger mammals which still inhabit
the British Islands, except the Cetacea (Whales and Dolphins),
which on account of their size are placed in the gallery appro-
priated to the general collection of animals of that order (see
p. 43). Of the Seals, but two species are really indigenous, the
Common Seal (Phocw m'tult'na) and the Great Grey Seal (Hale'-
ckoerus grypus); but other species, as the Ringed and the Harp
Seal of the Northern Seas, are exhibited in their capacity of
occasional but rare visitors to our shores. Of the land Carnivora,
specimens are seen of the Wild Cat, the Fox, the Badger, Otter,
Marten, Polecat, Weasel, and Stoat or Ermine, which only
occasionally (as in a beautiful example shown) assumes the‘
white colour in England, though this change is the rule in
countries with severer winter climates. The Rodents are
represented by the Common and the Variable or Mountain
Hare, which turns white in winter in the Highlands of Scotland,

D 2

36 CENTRAL HALL.

and by the Rabbit. Of the Ruminants, a specimen of the wild
White Bull of Chillingham Park, Northumberland, stands be-
tween the cases, and there are stuffed specimens and antlers
(above the cases) of the Red, Roe, and Fallow Deer; the latter,
however, an introduced species, now naturalised in our parks.

The smaller mammals are exhibited in two square cases
standing out in the body of the room, that on the left containing
the Rodents (Squirrel, Dormouse, Voles, Mice, and Rats), and
that on the right, the Insectivora (Hedgehog, Mole and Shrews)
and the Bats.

Nearer the middle of the room is a larger case, divided into
an upper and a lower compartment, the former containing the

‘Amphibia (Frogs, Toads, and Newts) in spirit, the latter the
few species of Reptiles (Snakes and Lizards) found in our
islands. The distinctive characters of the three snakes, the
Common or Ringed Snake (Tropidonalus natm'x), and the
Smooth Snake (Carmella aastm‘aca), both harmless, and the
venomous Viper (Vipem beams), can be made out from the
Specimens, although the vividness of their natural colours is
very difficult to preserve when long exposed to the light.

The far more numerous birds and fishes occupy the two sides
of the series of upright cases, which fill the west and east ends
of the room, and project on each side so as to make a partial
division across;it. Among the birds will be seen a specimen of
the extinct Great Auk (Alea impennis), of which the Museum
possesses a‘second example in the Bird Gallery (p. 34). The
largest specimens of fishes are placed on stands out of the cases,
near the middle of the room being a Greenland Shark (Lasmargus
borealz's), fifteen feet long, which was captured near Anstruther,
on the east coast of Scotland, May 18th, 1878. Next to this
in size are the Porbeagle (Lamna cormcbica) and the Fox
Shark or Thresher (Alopecias vulpes).

The cases occupying the northern section of the room (near
the windows) are devoted to the Invertebrata. The wall-case
on the west (left) side contains the larger specimens of Mollusca,
Tunicata, Annelida, Echinodermata, and Coelentrata in spirit,
including some remarkably fine specimens of an Alcyonarian
called Funiculma quadrangulam's, one of which has a long— armed
star-fish (Astronyx Zovem') twined around it. These were dredged

BRITISH ZOOLOGY. 37

up in the Firth of Lorn, west coast of Scotland. The wall-case
on the east (right) side contains a series of nests of hornets,
wasps, bees, ants, &c. In the intermediate table—cases are
arranged the collection of dried specimens of British Mollusca,
Insects, Crustaceans, Polyzoa, Sponges, &c. The cases beneath
the windows of the north wall are entirely devoted to the
exhibition of British Echinoderms, star-fishes, sea—urchins, &0.
Forms of which the characters are difficult to preserve are
shown by drawings from the living animals placed on the
walls.

Two cabinets placed against pillars facing the centre of the British .'
room are devoted to a special collection of British Butterflies Exffiftlfii
and Moths (Lepidoptem) with their larvae, which were all
prepared by Lord Walsingham, and presented to the Museum
by him in 1887. The caterpillars are mounted on models
of the plants upon which they feed, and are remarkable for
the life-like appearance they present.

A nearly complete series of British Birds’ eggs is now Egg Cabinets.
exhibited in two large cabinets. In these will be seen speci—
mens illustrating the principal variations in the eggs of both
resident species and occasional visitors. Especial attention is
directed to the series of Cuckoos’ eggs, with the accompanying
clutches of the eggs of the foster-parents.

STAIRCASE.

On the first landing of the great staircase, facing the centre of Statue of
the hall, is placed the seated marble statue of CHARLES DARWIN arm‘
(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 Chairman, Professor Huxley, P.R.S., to which His Royal
Highness the Prince of Wales, as representing the Trustees,
replied.

Above the first landing the staircase divides into two flights

Statue of
Banks.

Gould
Collection of
Humming-
Birds.

Bird Gallery.

38 CENTRAL HALL.

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 a staircase from each, raised on an arch which
spans the hall, join to form a central flight leading to the second
or uppermost floor. On the landing at the top Of this flight _
is placed a marble statue by Chantrey of SIR JOSEPH BANKS
(b. 1743, d. 1820), the munificent patron of science and scientific
men, who for forty—one years presided over the Royal Society, and
was an active Trustee Of the Museum. His splendid botanical
collections are preserved in the adjoining gallery, but his
unrivalled library of works on natural history, also bequeathed to
the Museum, remains in the old building at Bloomsbury, in the
entrance hall Of which 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.

The west corridor contains a portion of the series of British
birds with their nests (see p. 40), for which there is not room
in the Bird Gallery on the ground floor. The specimens
placed here belong to the smaller kinds, being mostly of the
Perching or Passerine order.

In the east corridor is placed at present the collection of
Humming-birds (Trochz'lidoe) arranged and mounted by the late
Mr. John Gould, and purchased for the Museum after his death
in 1881. The resplendent colours and singular varieties of form
presented by these fairy-like objects must always excite feelings
of admiration and wonder in all who gaze upon them. '

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) of
the Central Hall, near the main entrance of the building. The
long gallery extending the entire length Of the front of the
wing is assigned to the exhibited collection of birds, the study

GROUND FLOOR. 39

series of the same group being kept in cabinets in a room
behind.

The‘wall-cases contain mounted specimens of all the principal Systematic
species arranged in systematic order, beginning with the Vultures, fiffifg‘ses’
on the left hand on entering, and ending with the Penguins on
the right. The arrangement adopted is that of the Catalogue,
now in course of publication.

From the multitude of specimens which are exhibited in this
gallery, and which form but a small proportion of the different
kinds of birds known to inhabit the globe, only a few of the most
striking can be mentioned here. The various types of the birds
of prey are very fully represented: from the Condor or Great
Vulture of the Andes, the large Sea-eagle of Behring Straits, and
the Great Eagle Owl of Europe, all of which are placed in separate
cases, to the Dwarf Falcon in case 13, which is not much larger
than a sparrow, and preys-upon insects. Among the large group of
perching birds, attention is drawn to the case of birds of Paradise
opposite to wall—cases 18 and 19. At the end of the same side
of the gallery are placed skeletons of the Dodo and Solitaire,
gigantic pigeons with wings too small for flight, once inhabitants
of the islands of Mauritius and Rodriguez, but now extinct.
The cases on the right-hand side of the gallery are occupied by
birdsallied to the common Fowl, and by the wading and swim-
ming birds; among them is a fine series of Pheasants and other
game birds, the Great Bustard, once an inhabitant of our
island, a pair of F lamingoes with their nest, the Great
Auk from the Northern Seas, now extinct, and finally the large
Emperor Penguin from the Antarctic Ocean, the only known
specimens of which were obtained during the British Antarctic
expedition of 1839—43.

In the “ Pavilion,” or room at the further end of the gallery,
are placed the specimens of the peculiar division of birds called
Ratitog, from the flat or raft—like character of the breast-bone,
and which, owing to the rudimentary character of their wings,
have not the power of raising themselves off the ground in flight.
They include the largest existing birds, the Ostriches, Emus and
Cassowaries, as well as the small Kiwi or Apteryx of New
Zealand.

In the middle of the gallery and in the spacesbetween the wall-

Groups of
British Birds
and Nests.

40 WEST WING.

cases are placed various isolated groups of particular interest,
among which the visitor will doubtless be attracted by those
showing the nesting habits of our best-known British birds. The
great value of these groups consists in their absolute truthfulness.
The surroundings 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 were accurately
modelled from nature. Far more care has also been taken in
preserving the natural form and characteristic attitude of the
birds than was formerly the case in museums, as a large
number of the old specimens in the wall-cases unhappily
testify. This beautiful and instructive series is still in process of
formation. Among the most attractive cases are, near to the
entrance to the gallery, on the right, 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. Various species of Ducks, especially the Red-
headed Pochard, on the sedgy border of a Norfolk mere. This
is in the sixth recess on the left side. 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
the graceful Arctic Terns from the Shetland Islands, in the
seventh recess on the right. Then follow Plovers, Sandpipers,
Snipes, 650., 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. Beyond are Ptarmigans and Caper-
cailzies from Scotland, and on the left Woodpigeons and Turtle
Doves building their simple, flat nests of sticks in ivy-clad
trees. In the Pavilion at the end, are Sandmartins and King-
fishers, showing, by means of sections of the banks of sand or
earth, the form and depth of the hole in which the nests are placed,
and there is here also (on the right) a fine group of Gannets
and other sea-birds from the Bass Rock in the Firth of Forth.
On the opposite side of the Pavilion have recently been added

BRITISH MUSEUM (NATURAL HISTORY).
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GROUND FLOOR. . 41

two important groups, with the accessories true to nature, of
the Golden Eagle and Common Buzzard, from Scotland.

Owing to want of space in this gallery, the nests of the
Perching or Passerine birds are placed for the present in the
west corridor of the Central Hall.

Parallel with the bird gallery to the north side (right on enter-
ing), and approached by several passages, is a long narrow gallery
containing the collection of corals and of sponges and allied forms. Coral Gallery,
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 studied with the microscope
only ; their structure is therefore illustratedby means of models
and figures. The next divisions of the gallery are occupied by the
sponges ; most conspicuous among them is a series showing the
variations of the common bath—sponge(cases1and 2), the beauti—‘
ful siliceous Euplectella or Venus’ flower basket, and the Japanese
Hyalonema or glass rope sponge (case 3), and the gigantic
Rhaphiophom or Neptune’s goblet, of which several specimens
are placed on separate stands.

Nearly the whole of the remainder of the gallery is given up
to the Corals, showing the immense variety of form and colour
of these animals, some presenting a marvellous resemblance to
vegetable growths. The part exhibited is merely the dried,
hard, horny or calcareous basis or supporting skeleton either of
isolated individuals, or of colonies of creatures allied to the well—
known sea-anemones of our coasts. The aggregated skeletons
of myriads of these animals form the coral-reefs which con-
stitute the base of thousands of islands in the Indo-Pacific
Ocean. Near the middle of the gallery is placed a magnificent
specimen of the Black Coral of the Mediterranean (Gerardia
savalz'a), one of the Antipaflmria, which was obtained off the
coast of the island of Euboea in the Egean Sea. A drawing on
the adjoining wall shows a magnified view of the polypes of
this species as they appear in life. In case 13 are specimens
and drawings of the Red Coral (Corallc'um rubrum), so largely
used for ornamental purposes, and also of the crimson Organ-pipe
Coral (Tubipom). Arranged on shelves on the south wall of the
western end of this gallery, is a series of Pcmmtulidoc (sea-pens,

Fish Gallery.

42 WEST WING.

sea-rushes, or sea-ropes) preserved in spirit. They live at the
bottom of the sea, with their lower end fixed in the sand and
mud, and their skeleton is never more than a straight internal
axial rod.

Two table-oases at the western end of the gallery contain the
POLYZOA, a group of small animals which, like corals, are supported
by a calcareous or horny plant-like growth, but in their internal
structure are more nearly related to the Mollusca, a class
exhibited in the adjoining gallery. Many fine specimens of
this group, as well as others exhibited in this gallery, were
obtained on the exploring voyage of H.M.S. “ Challenger.”

Approached through the Coral Gallery, and running backwards
at right angles with it, are a number of galleries containing other
portions of the zoological collections.

1. The Fish Gallery, which is nearest to the Central Hall,

' contains the exhibited portion of the collection of Fishes, the

greater number of which, preserved in spirit, are placed for
safety in a detached building behind the Museum, where they
are available for study under suitable regulations. The gallery
contains stuffed examples and skeletons of all the most remark—
able members of the class, the peculiarities of which are
pointed out in a special guide—book.*

The wall-cases on the west side of the room (right on entering)
and at its end contain the fishes with completely osseous
skeletons, a division to which 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; and as the colours of fishes are very fugitive, and
disappear more or less completely after death, some of the stuffed
examples have been painted from life, to show the extraordinary
brilliancy of many of the tropical kinds. The fishes allied to the
Perch (case 1), Gurnard (case 8), Mackerel (case 10), Sword-fish
(case 13), Wrasse (case 15), Codfish and Plaice (case 17), Catfish
(case 18), Salmon (case 21), Pike (case 22), Eel (case 23), are
represented by numerous examples, the last of which is that,
at least in external form, most remarkable fish, the Sunfish
or Orthagooiscus.

The Fish Gallery, for want of room, has been extended to

* ‘ Guide to the Reptiles and Fishes.’ Price Sixpence.

GROUND FLOOR. , 43

the corridor connecting the Fish and Reptile Galleries, in
which representatives of the Carp and Herring families are
exhibited.

The eastern or left side of the room is devoted to the exhibi-
tion of a very different division of fishes, which was much more
numerously represented in ancient times than at present. The
majority have a cartilaginous skeleton. To this division belong
the Gar-pike of North America (case 28), the Mud—fishes
(Dz'jonoz') of South America, Africa and Australia (case 28), the
Sturgeons (case 29), and finally the Sharks and Rays, including
‘ the singular Hammer—headed Shark, and the SaW-fish (Pm'stis),
which has a long projecting flattened snout, with a row of teeth
arranged something like those of a saw on each side. Of this
form, a remarkably large specimen from the coast of British
Guiana (Pristis parrotteti) is exhibited. Another very small
division of fishes comprises the Lampreys, of which a few
specimens are shown in case 44.

The largest specimen of the class, placed near the centre of
the room, is a full-grown example of the Great Basking Shark
(Selache maxima) which was captured on the 2nd of March,
1875, near Shanklin, in the Isle of Wight. Its length is twenty—
eight feet, but, as the minute size of the teeth indicate, it is a
comparatively harmless animal. Beyond it is a young specimen
of a shark (Rhinodon typicus) which when adult is said to
attain a still larger size. It inhabits the Indian and Pacific
Oceans.

II. A small gallery is devoted to the group of ARTICULATA Insect Gallery.
or Invertebrated animals with jointed limbs, as Insects, Spiders,
Myriopods, and Crustacea. In the wall-cases are many curious
examples of nests, and of specimens illustrating the ravages of
destructive insects, and also some of their economic products.
Selected examples of the different groups of insects are exhibited
in systematic order in the table-cases, so as to give the visitor
who studies them a general idea of all the most interesting
forms and of their classification. Unfortunately, it is impossible
to exhibit many of the most beautiful and rare species, owing to
the deteriorating effects of continued exposure to light upon
their colours. The main collection of insects is, on this account,
and because of the immense space it would otherwise occupy,

Reptile
Gallery.

Star-fish
Gallery.

44 WEST WING.

kept in cabinets in the “ insect-room ” on the basement floor, to
which students can have access under the regulations which
will be found at the end of this guide.

Against the wall on each side of the gallery are models show-
ing the injuries caused to vegetation by insects and mites; also
models of various forms of galls of general or scientific interest.

III. Alarge gallery containing the collection of stuffed speci-
mens and skeletons of Reptiles, including Crocodiles, Lizards,
Snakes and Tortoises. As is the case with the fishes, very
many of the animals of this class are necessarily preserved in
spirit, and therefore not suitable subjects for exhibition. The
gallery contains examples of all the forms of general interest,
for an account of which the visitor is referred to the special
guide.’Ie /

The fine and unique series of Gigantic Land Tortoises which
are either extinct or doomed to speedy extermination; the
interesting skeleton of the Leathery Turtle (Sphm'gis) in which
the carapace is separated from the true skeleton; the large
stuffed examples of the Fish—eating Gharial and of the dangerous
Crocodiles of Africa, India and Australia; the Snake—eating
Snake (Ophiophagus), the largest of poisonous snakes; and the
great stuffed Anaconda (Boa marina) at the end of the room——
are the objects which will most attract the attention of the
visitors to this gallery.

In this Gallery a large table-case is placed, containing a
selection of the most important forms of Batrachians, which are
divided into such as possess a tail—Salamanders and Newts,
and into those without tails—Frogs and Toads. These animals
live during some period of their existence in the water, when
they breathe by gills, and are therefore very closely allied to fishes.

IV. A small gallery is called the Star-fish Gallery, from being
specially devoted to Star-fishes and their allies—the ECHINO-
DERMATA; 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. As magnificent examples the visitor should
not fail to notice in 1 D Pycnopodia helianthoides, and in 2 B and

* ‘ Guide to the Reptiles and Fishes.’ Price Sixpence.

GROUND FLOOR. - 45

C the fine series of Linckia, and in 2 D—F and 3 A Pentaceros
callimorphus and the extensive collection of Oreaster; in 3 E
are two remarkable specimens of Astropecten ; in 4. C an almost
complete example of the brittlestar (Opin'omasm'x annulosa)
should be noticed, and on the tops of cases 5 and 6 are good
examples of Diadema and Echinus. In a separate case on the
east side of the gallery is Luidia savigniz' from Mauritius, one
of the largest known kinds of star-fish. The most beautiful
and remarkable specimens in the gallery are the stalked Crinoids,
which were collected by the “Challenger,” and one found at-
tached to an old telegraph wire which was taken up in the
Caribbean Sea. These deep—sea forms, so abundant in earlier
periods of the world’s history, are exhibited on tables in the
corners of the gallery, by case 7 *

The wall— cases contain types of the very various and different
groups which are put together as Worms or VERMES. Case 1 con-
tains the Tape— -worms or Cestoda, and the Flukes or Trematoda,
the life history of a type of each being illustrated by specimens,
figures, and models; in case 2 the Round— worms are illustrated
by models of Trickina, and the anatomical structure of various
other forms 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 Echinodermata
preserved in spirit, especially Holothurians, or sea-slugs and
sea-cucumbers.

V. A large gallery is devoted to the'extensive division of Shell Gallery.
MOLLUSCA, the exhibition of which is however mainly re—
stricted to their shells. In some cases the form of the animal
itself is shown either by specimens in spirit or by means of
models.

The first table-case on the left as the gallery is entered contains
the Argonauts, the beautiful pearly Nautilus, the rest of the
Cephalopods (Octopus, Squids, &c.), the fragile glassy Pteropods,
and the Cones, one of the most beautiful groups of the Gastro-
pods, a division Which includes Snails, Whelks, Slugs and all
those Molluscs which crawl upon the under surface of their body.
They are contained in cases 1—17. The Bivalves or those

* ‘Guide to the Shell and Star-fish Galleries (Mollusca, Echinodermata,
Vermes).’ Price fourpence.

Cetacea or
Whale
Gallery.

46 WEST WING.

Mollusca which, like the Cockle and Oyster, are protected by a
shell formed by two pieces or valves, are arranged in cases
17—26. The most generally known of this division are the
Venus-shells (case 17) ; the Cockles (case 19) ; the Giant Clam,
sometimes weighing as much as 500 lbs. each (case 20); the
Piddocks and Teredos, borers in wood and stone (case 19);
the Razor—shells (case 20); the Pinnas (case 24); Scallops
and Thorny Oysters (case 25); and the True Oysters (case 25).

A fine series of very large shells and some interesting
Cephalopods in spirit occupy four upright cases at the ends of the
room; and near the entrance to the gallery are placed some
small table-cases, containing series of the eggs of Mollusca and
of their opercula or lids by means of which the opening or mouth
of the shell is closed in some forms; also specimens illustrating
the formation of pearls, and other special points of interest
connected with the group.

A special guide-book to the Shell and Star-fish galleries is
published for the use of visitors, and guides to the remaining
galleries are in preparation.

GALLERY or CETACEA.

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 room in the basement, in which the specimens
of whale—like animals, for which, on account of their large size,
no other place could be found in the portion of the Museum
galleries already completed, are placed. The room has, un-
fortunately, the disadvantage of being not well lighted, and
of being intersected by massive columns, which interfere with
the complete view of any of the larger skeletons ; nevertheless
the specimens will be safely preserved in it, until the erection
of the west front shall afford them better accommodation, and
visitors can, in the meantime with very little difficulty study
most of the important peculiarities of these gigantic and very
interesting members of the Animal Kingdom.

As it is almost impracticable to preserve the skins of the larger
species of whales, owing to the quantity of oil with which they
are saturated, the exhibition of the characters of these animals is

GALLERY or CETACEA. 47

chiefly limited to their skeletons, assisted by drawings of their
external forms. The general appearance of many of the smaller
kinds is, however, shown by stuffed specimens and coloured
casts. A general account of the structure and classification of
the Cetacea, with special reference to those exhibited in this
gallery, will be found at the end of the Guide to the Galleries
of Mammaliaf"

On the left side of the door, on entering, near the window, is a Freshjwater
case containing a stuffed specimen, skeleton, and several skulls D°1ths‘
of the very curious fresh-water Dolphin of the rivers of India
(Platam'sta gangctica), and in the next case the peculiar Dolphin
of the river Amazon (Im'a geofi'rensis). Among the specimens
on the same side of the room, one of the most interesting, on
account of its remarkable dentition, is the Narwhal or Sea- Narwhal.
Unicorn. It has only two teeth, which 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 abortive (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, projecting horizontally from the head in the form of
a long, straight, tapering and pointed tusk, spirally grooved
on the surface. In some very rare cases both teeth are fully
developed, as in the fine skull exhibited near the skeletons.

Most of the largest Cetacea belong to the group called Whalebone
“Whalebone Whales,” in which a series of horny plates called Whales'
“baleen,” or more familiarly “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 the whales
subsist. A fine representative of this group is the very perfect
skeleton of the Common Rorqual or Fin-whale (Balwnoptcm
musculus) near the further end of the middle 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 dorsal fin are pre-
served with the skeleton and suspended in their natural position,
and the small pelvic bones and a rudimentary nodule, represent-

* ‘Guide to the Galleries of Mammalia (Mammalian, Osteological and
Cetacean) in the Department of Zoology.’ Price Sixpence.

Gallery of
Stufi‘ed
Mammals.

48 WEST WING.

ing the femur or thigh bone, the only trace of the hind leg of
this gigantic animal, are also preserved. Beyond this skeleton is
a skull of the Greenland Right-Whale (Balance mysticetus), which
yields most of the “ whalebone” of commerce, and also a small
wooden model of the animal, of the scale of one inch to the foot.

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 containing only a single story.

The MAMMALIAN GALLERY is entered from the western
corridor of the Central Hall. It contains the series of stuffed
specimens of animals of this class, with the exception of the
Oetacea and the Stream. The collection of antlers of the
family of Deer is ranged along the top of the cases.

The contents of this gallery and the next are described in
considerable detail in a special guide, and therefore a very
short notice here will suffice.

The series commences on the left with the most highly organ-
ised forms, viz., the apes and monkeys, of which the fine series
of Gorillas, Chimpanzees and Orang—Outangs deserves special
attention. Among the Carnivora which occupy the cases next in
order will be noticed the series of Tigers (cases 13 and 14), includ—
ing'the small and long—haired Persian race, and the large short—
haired form of the jungles of Bengal. Typical forms of the
Bats (such as the Flying Fox), of the small Insect—feeders and
Gnawing Animals, and of the Edentata (Sloths, Anteaters and
Armadilloes) follow.. The remainder of the cases of this side of
the gallery, of the pavilion, and nearly the whole of the right side
are devoted to the Ungulata or Hoofed Animals ; very complete
series of the wild Sheep, Goats and wild Cattle, of the Musk-ox
an inhabitant of the Arctic regions, of the large African Ante.
lopes, and of the Elk and Reindeer of both hemispheres are
exhibited. Towards the end of the series, in cases 95-98, the
Pouched Mammalia or Marsupial’ia (Kangaroos, Wombats, Tas-
manian Wolf, Opossums, &c.), find their place; they carry their

SECOND FLOOR. . 49

young in a pouch, until able to shift for themselves. Finally
the Monotremes of Australia, the Duck-billed Platypus, and
the Echidna, at the bottom of case 98, differ still more from the
ordinary members of this class, inasmuch as they do not bring
forth their young alive, but lay eggs.

SECOND FLOOR.

The Osteological Gallery is devoted to the skeletons and Skeletons and
skulls of Mammalia, the arrangement Of which corresponds, as $31,131:;
far as practicable, with that of the stuffed specimens. The series
commences (on the left hand on entering) with a male and female
human skeleton, followed by a selection of skulls, showing the
different modifications of the cranial and facial bones in the
various races of Mankind. Among these is the skeleton of a full-
grown Akka, only four feet high, which appears to be the usual
size of this pygmy tribe of Negroes from Central Africa. The next
wall-case contains several skeletons of man-like Apes, the Orang-
Outang, Gorilla and Chimpanzee, with the principal forms of the
other Monkeys and Lemurs. In cases 4—8 numerous representa-
tives of the Carnivorous and Rodent Mammalia are shown, the re-
mainder of the cases of this side of the gallery being devoted to
the exhibition of skulls of the larger Ungulata, viz., the Elephants,
Rhinoceroses and Horses. Of the first many skulls are exhibited,
some in section showing the extraordinary modification of the
skull in adaptation to the support of the heavy tusks and power-
ful trunk. The series of elephants is continued in the pavilion
at the end of the gallery, where skulls and skeletOns of the
African and Indian elephants are exhibited, among them a
skeleton of a very large tuskless elephant or Mooknah.

In the pavilion are also placed skeletons of the Stream or
Sea-Cows, aquatic animals more nearly allied to the Ungulates
than to the Whales, with which they were associated in former
times. Stuffed examples of these animals have also been
placed here for want of space in the Mammalian Gallery.

The majority of the cases 0n the right hand of the gallery
are occupied by the Ruminant Ungulata, such as the Camels,
Oxen, Antelopes, Sheep, Goats and Deer; cases 23 and 24 con-
taining some additional skeletons and skulls of Sirenia, the

E

5 0 EAST WING.

Edentata (Sloths, Anteaters, Armadilloes), the Marsupials or
Pouched Mammalia, and finally the Monotremes of Australia
(Ornithorhynchus and Echidna), which in their skeleton as
well as other structures difier widely from the ordinary members
of the class.

Along the centre of the gallery is ranged a very complete
series of skeletons of the wild cattle of the old and new world,
and of the various species of Rhinoceros and Hippopotamus.

A collection of horns of Oxen, Buffaloes, Antelopes and
Sheep is placed on the top of the cases of the gallery and on
the wall of the pavilion.

EAST WING.
GROUND FLOOR.

Palaeontologi- The ground floor of this wing consists, as on the other side of
“‘1 c°u°°ti°n' the building, of a gallery running west and east the whole length
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. The whole of this floor is occupied by the collection of
the remains of animals and plants which flourished in geo-
logical periods anterior 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 forms which are believed
to have natural affinities are placed together, but Within some of
the great divisions thus mapped out, especially of the Inverte-
brata 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.
As this portion of the Museum is fully described in the
Illustrated Guides* it will only be necessary to give a brief
account of it here.

* ‘Guide to the Exhibition Galleries of the Department of Geology and
Palaeontology.’ Part I. Mammalia and Birds; price Sixpence. Part II.
Beptilia and Northern Galleries; price Sixpence. ‘Guide to the Fossil
Fishes.’ Price fourpence.

GROUND FLOOR. 51

The large front gallery first entered from the hall is entirely Remains of
devoted to the remains of Mammalia. Along the centre are $3339.15.
placed a number of large and striking objects, of too great a size
to be contained in the wall—cases. The first is a nearly complete
skeleton of the American Mastodon, an animal closely allied to
the elephant, from which it is chiefly distinguished by the
characters of its molar teeth. Beyond this is the skull of an
Elephant (Elephas gamsa), remarkable for the immense length
of its tusks, from the Siwalik Hills of India, and another of the
Mammoth (Elephas primigem'us) with huge curved tusks, in a
perfect state of preservation, found in the brick earth at .Ilford
in Essex. Then follow skeletons of the great extinct Irish Deer
(Germs giganteus), male and female, the former distinguished
by its magnificent palmated antlers, resembling those of a
fallow deer on a large scale.

Here has lately been placed, through the liberality of
Professor 0. C. Marsh, a model of a perfect skeleton of the
Uintaflwm’um or Dinocems mimbz’le, one of the most remarkable
of the many wonderful forms of animal life lately discovered in
the Tertiary beds of the 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.

Beyond this is a skeleton of a very rare and interesting
animal, the Northern Manatee or Sea COW (RM/tenor gigas), the
last known resort of which was Behring’s Island in the North
Pacific, where it was completely exterminated towards the close
of the last century. In the same case is placed the skeleton of
a smaller allied form, the Halithem’um, from:the Miocene of
South Germany. These, with their existing representatives, the
Manatee and Dugong (see Osteological Gallery, West Wing,
Second Floor, p. 45), belong to the order Sirem'a, aquatic mammals
of fish-like form, presenting considerable external resemblance
to Cetacea (the Whales and Dolphins), although differing from
them in many essential points of structure andihabit.

The wall-cases on the south side (right on entering) con- Fossilremainl
tain remains of Man found under such circumstances as may °f man'

E 2

Extinct Birds.

52 EAST WING.

justify the appellation of “ fossil,” in caves or in Pleistocene de-
posits, 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 a magnificent collection of the remains of Probos-
cidea (Dinotheria, Mastodons and Elephants), including the fine
series from the sub-Himalayan formations of India collected by
Cautley and Falconer.

In the pavilion, or large room at the end of the gallery,
are skeletons and bones of the animals of the order Edentata,
mostly from South America, including some fine specimens of
the great Ground Sloths, the largest of which is the Megathem’um,
shown in the act of rearing itself on its hind legs and powerful
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 the bones and
teeth. The mounted specimen is not an actual skeleton, but is
composed of plaster casts of the actual bones, most of which are
in the wall-case at the north side of the room. Of the Mylodon,
a smaller, but nearly allied species, an almost perfect skeleton
is exhibited in a glass case near the Mcgathcrium, and not far
off is 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
Australian Marsupials of the corresponding period (Pleistocene,
or latest Tertiary), the Diproiodon and Nototherium, remains
of which will be found in this room, greatly exceeded any of the
species now existing on that continent. On the other hand, all
the mammals of the earliest geological periods of which remains
are known, are of diminutive size, as seen in the very interest-
ing series, mostly from the Purbeck (Upper Oolite) beds of
Dorset, and Stonesfield (Great Oolite) of Oxfordshire, exhibited
in one of the table-cases on the north 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 (Archwopterg/x) of the Solenhofen beds of
Bavaria, the oldest known member of the class, presenting

GROUND FLOOR. 53

many reptilian 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 “ Moa,”
or Dinorm's of New Zealand, a bird in which no trace of a.
wing has been discovered, show the diversity of size of different
members of the group, some far exceeding any existing ostrich
and others 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
[Epyornis from Madagascar, in the south-east corner of the
room. .

The long gallery north of the mammalian saloon contains a Extiyct
fine assemblage of Reptilian remains. The south side is devoted Reptfles'
to the Great Sea-Lizards (Plesz'osaum'a and Ichthyosaum'a),
mostly from the Lias formation. Ranged in the cases on the
north side are remains of the gigantic Dinosaum'a, which far
exceeded in size any other land-animals. At the eastern end
of the gallery are the Pterosaum’a, or Flying Reptiles. At the
west end is the nearly complete skeleton of Pariasaums from
the Karoo formationKTrias) of South Africa, one of the most
remarkable fossil reptiles yet obtained.

Of the galleries running northwards from this, the one nearest Extinct
the centre of the building is devoted to the collection of fossil Elms"
Fishes, an account of which has been published in a special
guide?“ The next contains the Cepha10pods, a group of animals
abounding in extinct forms, of which the Belemnites and
Ammonites are the best known. The form and structure of
their nearest living representatives, the various species of Cuttle-
fishes, Squids, Argonauts and Nautilus 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 contains the remaining Molluscs and Brachiopods; the
Echinoderms, Annelids and Crustacea; the fourth, the Corals, Extinct
Sponges, Protozoa, and} Fossil Plants. In these last two iizeggfif‘”
galleries the British specimens are placed in the table-cases,
and those of foreign origin in the cases round the walls.

* ‘ Guide to the Collection of Fossil Fishes in the Department of Geology
and Palaeontology.’ Price fourpence.

Historical
Collections.

Stratigraphi-
oal collection
of British
Palaeontology.

Gallery of
Minerals.

Introductory
Collections.

54 EAST WING. ,

The fifth gallery is set apart for the reception of certain
special collections of historical interest, which, from the circum-
stances under which they were formed, or came into possession
of the Museum, or from their containing a large number of
types described and figured in standard monographs, it has
not been thought desirable to break up and disperse among the
general collection. The principal of these are, 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
Collection of Brachiopoda, the types of Sowerby’s ‘Mineral
Conchology,’ and lastly, but not least in interest, the specimens
which, belonging to the collection of Sir Hans Sloane, form
the nucleus of the whole Museum.

In the wall-cases on the west side of this gallery is exhibited
a stratigraphical collection, showing the most characteristic
rock-specimens, often with their included organic remains, re-
presenting 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
sedimentary rocks of England in the order of their succession,
each bed being distinctively coloured, and named to correspond
with the actual specimens placed beneath. 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, &0.

FIRST FLOOR.

The gallery on this floor, entered from the south end of the
east corridor of the hall, contains the extensive Mineral Collec-
tions, a full description of which will be found in a special
guidef"

Entering the gallery the visitor will find, in the first window-

* ‘Introduction to the Study of Minerals, with a Guide to the Mineral
Gallery.’ Price Sixpence.

FIRST FLOOR. 55

 

case on the left-hand side, a series of specimens selected and
labelled to serve as an introduction to the study of minerals.
Beginning with a definition of what is meant by a mineral, it
is there shown how essential characters were gradually recog-
nised, and how minerals have been distributed into kinds and
classified.

In the next three window-cases specimens are arranged to
illustrate the various terms which have been found useful in
the description of minerals.

Recently acquired specimens are shown for a time in the fifth Recent
window-case. acquism‘ms‘

The remaining window-cases in the gallery contain models of Pseudo-
crystals and pseudomorphs, and are intended for the special mums"
student. The general visitor will now do well to return to the Genera}
entrance of the gallery and begin the examination of the table— (1:211:11:ng if
cases in which are exhibited specimens of every mineral species
and variety in the possession of the Museum. The cases are
numbered from 1 to 42, and the eight panes of each case are
distinguished by the letters a to h.

For the use of the student there is published a complete
Index to the names and Synonyms of all the mineral species
and varieties represented in the Collection, with references to
the table-cases in which specimens are placed.*

The system of classification, which is necessarily constructed
to include, not only ores, but all known minerals, is not very
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 detail, reference must be
made to the Departmental Guide.

In cases 1 and 2 are the native metals, as Copper, SiIVer, Gold,
and Platinum; and non-metals, as Sulphur, Graphite, and Dia-
mond. The large symmetrical crystal of Diamond, weighing
130 carats, presented by Professor Ruskin, is worthy of special
attention (case 1g).

The next six cases contain minerals which have mostly a
metallic lustre and consist of metals in chemical combination
with sulphur or arsenic.
' * ‘ The Student’s Index to the Collection of Minerals.’ Price twopence.

“Spam”, 1 . ..

General
Collection of
Minerals.

56 EAST WING.

Argentite (3d) 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.

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

Copper-glance (Se) is an important ore of copper (copper 80,
sulphur 20).

Cinnabar (3h) is the ore from which mercury or quicksilver
is obtained (mercury 87 , sulphur 13).

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 all valuable copper ores.

Common salt is represented in case 8f, and F luor, a ‘com-
pound belonging to the same division, begins at ease 7e.

The next division, consisting of compounds of oxygen and
including most of the stony minerals, begins with Cuprite (10a),
an important ore of copper (copper 89, oxygen 11).

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 is the Rubicelle of the jewellers:
sometimes, too, 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 and most
valuable of the ores of iron, of which metal it contains 72 per
cent. It is the natural loadstone.

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 the stone known as Alexandrite.

Corundum (9h), when clear and of the proper colour, is, after
the diamond, the most precious of stones. When pure it is the
colourless variety known to jewellers as the Lux-sapphire: but
with very minute traces of colouring ingredient it assumes the

FIRST FLOOR. 57

richest and most varied hues, when red it is the true Ruby; when General
azure it is the Sapphire , While the yellow, green, and purple $323311“
varieties are known respectively to jewellers as the Oriental

Topaz, Emerald, and Amethyst; the prefix “ oriental,” though

at first used to suggest that the stones are not the ordinary topaz,

emerald, and amethyst, but others of a similar colour coming

from the East (India, Ceylon, Siam, Pegu, &c.), was afterwards
understood to imply only the excellence of their characters. The
Star-stones, another variety of corundum, when placed in a

strong light show a six-rayed star.

Haematite (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 is the
Hyacinth or J acynth, while the colourless, yellowish, and dull
green are termed J argoon: the colourless variety, owing to its
high refractive power, approaches even the diamond in bril-
liancy.

Quartz 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; it is the Brazilian Pebble of the
spectacle—makers (14b). After the clear come the smoky varie—
ties, including the Scotch Cairngorm and Occidental Topaz (14g).
Next comes the Amethyst (14h), one of the less valuable, though
one of the most beautiful of the ornamental stones. The
Quartz Cat’s-eye (13f) is a variety presenting the opalescence,
but not the hardness or the brilliancy, of the true cat’s-eye
already referred to: the opalescence is due to enclosed fibres of
an asbestos-like mineral in the specimens from Ceylon, and to
fibres of crocidolite 1n the blue, and of altered crocidolite 1n the
brownish-yellow specimens from_ South Africa.

Jasper (13g), an uncrystallised coloured mixture of silica and
clay, is distinguished 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 the Egyptian Jasper, at other times in stripes
as in the Riband Jasper.

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

General
Collection of
Minerals.

58 EAST WING.

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

Hornstone (15a) is a variety of silica without evident crystal—
lisation, and generally presents a more or less splintery fracture;
but in one kind, Flint (15b), the fracture is conchoidal, some-
times 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.

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

Next follow the Plasma and Chrysoprase, green stones: and
the Sard, generally a brownish red; as also the Sardonyx, its
banded variety : all of them 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 are 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 of
the specimens are now brought from Uruguay, in South
America, and are cut and polished at Oberstein, in Germany,
Where in former times agates were got in quantity from the
mountains of the district. Sometimes the layers are plane and
parallel, and the stone is then an Onyx, useful as a material for
cameos: or the bands of a section are arranged in sets of straight
but zigzag lines, and the stone is then called a Fortification-
agate : but in the ordinary agate the layers are variously curved.

The Moss-agates, or Mocha—stones (16e), are varieties of
chalcedony, enclosing moss—like forms of oxides of manganese
and iron and green earthy chlorite.

The Carnelian (16c) 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 the Opal, including the Precious or Noble
Opal (16f), among the specimens of which is a fine suite from
Queensland, presented by Professor Maskelyne, MP.

The carbonate of barium, Witherite (18a), is much used in the
manufacture of plate-glass, and in France in that of beet-sugar.

Prams...” 3., . .1

FIRST FLOOR. . 59

Strontianite (18b), the carbonate of strontium, is the mineral General

from which most of the strontium nitrate is made for use in the
manufacture of fire-works, owing to the fine crimson colour
which it gives to the flame: it is also much employed in the
process of sugar refining.

Cerussite (18b) is the corresponding'carbonate of lead, and
When abundant is a valuable ore of the metal.

Calcite (18e), carbonate of calcium, is represented by an
extraordinarily fine suite of specimens, illustrating an almost
endless variety of crystalline form. The clear variety from
Iceland is largely used in optical instruments for the polarisa-
tion of light.

Chalybite, or Spathic iron ore (20h), is the carbonate of iron
and is a most valuable ore of the metal. The most important
English iron ore, Clay iron-stone,is a mixture of chalybite and clay.

Calamine (19h), carbonate of zinc, is an important zinc ore.

Chessylite (21d) and Malachite (22b) are respectively the
blue and green hydrated carbonates of copper, and are 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 ornamentalwork 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 the Chrysolite, While the pistachio-
green variety is the Peridot of jewellery.

Hiddenite (23a), a rare lately discovered emerald-green variety
of spodumene, has been introduced as a precious stone.

Asbestos (24c) is a variety of hornblende used in the arts ; it
is found in long fibres, and in some of its varieties is so flexible
that it can be woven into gloves and other articles; examples
Will be found among the worked specimens in the Pavilion at
the end of the gallery. The term asbestos, unquenched or un-V
quenchable, was applied to the mineral by the ancient Greeks,
because, owing to its being unaltered by heat, Wicks made of it
were used in maintaining the sacred perpetual fires of their
temples. Napkins of asbestos were cleaned by being throwu
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 largely employed for more prosaic purposes,

General
Collection of
Minerals;

60 EAST WING.

such as the lining of 1ron safes, packing for steam-pipes and
boilers, and in gas- “stoves

Jade or Nephrite (24d), a much valued mineral, belongs to
the same mineral group as hornblende. It has few known
localities, and it has been difficult to find an answer to the
question as to whence the older workers of jade can have got
their material. 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) is the light soft porous mineral used for
tobacco-pipes: it is a hydrated silicate of magnesium.

Serpentine (25a) is another hydrated magnesium silicate : the
ease with which it is worked and takes a good polish, its green
colour, and varied markings render it much sought for as a
material for fire—places, tables, and other indoor work: exposed
to the weather it soon loses its polish. Only specimens illustrat-
ing the purer forms of the mineral are shown in the case.

Topaz (25d) in its clear varieties is one of the precious stones.
The crystals from the Urulga river, in Siberia, are remarkably
fine examples of crystalline development; they are of a delicate
brown colour, but are kept covered up, 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 1s tinged with violet, it is the Almandine and the Syrian
garnet (from DSyriam in Pegu), and when cut on cabochon, the
Carbuncle of jewellery (26f) ; the Cinnamon-stone or Essonite
is yellow (26e) ; the Pyrope and the Bohemian garnet are
blood-red.(26e) ; Uvarovite is a green chrome-garnet (26h).

J adeite (27a) is one of the green stones, which, under the
name of jade, are wrought into ornaments in China: from jade,
however, it is distinguished by its chemical composition, struc-
ture, and higher specific gravity.

Among the specimens of Epidote (270) a remarkable suite
from the Untersulzbachthal is exhibited.

FIRST FLOOR. 61

Mica (28a) is the name given to a group of minerals differing Genera}
much from each other in chemical composition and optical pro- (gags? °f
perties, but having as a common character an easy cleavage in a
single direction, and thus affording plates remarkably thin,
transparent, tough, and elastic. One of these minerals, musco-
, vite (28d), has been used in Russia in place of glass for win~
5g dows; it is now in common use for lanterns and stoves, not
being so easily cracked as glass by change of temperature: it
is still known in commerce as talc, a term formerly applied to
it by mineralogists, but now restricted by them to a different
mineral.

: The group of Felspars, the most important of the rock-forming
’ minerals, begins at ease 28f.

After the Felspars comes Beryl, of which the bright green
variety, Emerald (290), is one of the most valued of precious
stones. It was in ancient times worked in Egypt, as is proved
by the rough Specimens found in the old workings by Sir
Gardner Wilkinson, and presented by him to the Museum.
Emeralds are found in the Urals ; but the locality for the finest
stones has long been that of Muso, about seventy miles from
Santa Fé de Bogota, in South America. Lately emeralds, though
not of a good colour, have been discovered at Stony Point in
North Carolina: some of the best of those found are shown in
the case. Facetted specimens of the colourless beryl, and also
of the bluish-green beryl, known in jewellery as Aquamarine,
are exhibited (30a).

In cases 30c to 32d will be found beautiful illustrations 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 very fine specimens
of rubelh'te from Ava are shown in the case; one of them,
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. S. J. L. Guthrie. The pink—and-green
tourmalines from Maine, USA, are among the more beautiful
of the mineral products of the United States. Good examples
of the blue tourmaline, Indicolite, are shown in case 33b.

 

 

 

General
Collection of
Minerals.

62 EAST WING.

Hafiynite (34b), in its rich blue variety, is the Lapis Lazuli
of jewellery, and is brought from Persia, China, Siberia, and
Bokhara. When powdered, lapis lazuli furnished the once
costly pigment ultramarine ; through the discovery of a method
of producing an artificial and cheap form of the same material,
the use of the mineral as a pigment has been quite superseded.

The sulphates of strontium, Celestine (350), of barium, Barytes
or Heavy Spar (36a), and of lead, Anglesite (36c), are all repre-
sented by long series of specimens.

Gypsum or Selenite (36f) is the hydrated sulphate of lime:
when heated it gives up its water of crystallisation and falls to a
white powder, known as “Plaster of Paris ”; when moistened
the powder again combines with water and forms a coherent
solid. A magnificent crystallised specimen, a gift from the late
Prince Consort, will be found in the Pavilion. Gypseous ala-
baster is a massive variety of gypsum (36h); owing to its white-
ness, fine texture, and softness, it is largely used as a material
for statuettes and other indoor ornaments; the Oriental ala-
baster is a harder substance, stalagmitic calcite, the carbonate
of lime.

Borax (370) is a hydrated borate of sodium. It is much used
as a flux, also in the process of soldering, and in the preparation
of easily fusible enamels. It was formerly carried over the
Himalayas from a lake in Thibet, but is now obtained largely
from borax lakes of the United States, and is extensively pre-
pared from the boracic acid of the lagoons in Tuscany.

Nitratine or Soda nitre (37d) is found in beds extending for
many miles; it is used for the preparation of nitric acid and of
saltpetre, and now largely as a fertiliser.

Calaite or Turquoise (38g) is a hydrated phosphate of alumi—
nium ; it owes its blue or green colour to the presence of small
quantities of salts of copper and iron. 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 is chiefly brought from the turquoise mines, not far
from Nishapur, in Persia.

As a supplement to the collection of simple minerals, there is
arranged, in cases 41 and 42, a group of natural substances ,
which either belong or are closely related to the Mineral King-

mafia

FIRST FLOOR. 63

dom, although in their formation organised matter has played a General

. - , Collection of
very 1mportant part. The most 1mportant members are Coal Minerals.
and Amber.
i Coal (41a), in most of its varieties, gives structural evidence
of its vegetable origin: its chemical composition depends on the
more or less complete change which has taken place, and is thus
i not so definite as in the preceding minerals. In the variety
called anthracite all traces of the original organised structure
have disappeared.

Amber (42c), in ancient times regarded as one of the precious
stones, is likewise of vegetable origin. It is a fossilised resin,
chiefly derived from trees allied to the existing pines : its
originally viscous condition is sufficiently proved by the insects
which are sometimes found enclosed in it.

In the Pavilion at the east end of the gallery the visitor will Largerl
find many specimens which, owing to their size, cannot be ”30$“,
satisfactorily exhibited in the table-cases.

Of these we may specially call attention to the groups of
British and Indian minerals in the centre of the long wall-ease,
and to the specimens of Stibnite, Galena, and Jade on separate
tables: also the large specimen of gypsum or selenite, presented
by the late Prince Consort, which, with some fine illustrations of
calcite, is exhibited in a special case.

The four table-eases in the windows contain :—(1) and (2) RookS-

a series illustrating the various kinds of rocks, (3) a series of
worked articles, and (4) specimens arranged by Professor Ruskin
to illustrate some varieties of Silica.*

The most important feature of the Pavilion is the Collection Meteorites.
of Meteorites,1‘ 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 this century no attempt to collect such
specimens for examination and comparison was made. In the

 

* A Descriptive Catalogue of the specimens of Native Silica has been
prepared by Prof. Ruskin, and can be obtained of the attendant in the
gallery. Price one shilling.

1' See ‘An Introduction to the Study of Meteorites, with a List of the
Meteorites represented in the Collection.’ Price threepenee.

 

Botanical
Gallery.

Public Gallery.

System of
Classification.

64 EAST WING.

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 striking circumstances attending their fall, of their general
characters, and of their chemical composition 2 illustrative speci-
mens, collected together for easy reference, will be found in one
of the cases. It is also shown that meteorites are closely related,
not only to the ordinary shooting stars, but also to comets, and
probably to the nebulae and fixed stars.

SECOND FLOOR.

The upper floor of the East wing is devoted entirely to the
Department of Botany.

The Collections of this Department consist of two portions,
the one open to the public and consisting of specimens suit-
able for exhibition, and 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.

The arrangement of the collections in the public gallery is
still in progress, but is not sufficiently advanced to permit the
preparation of a guide to the cases. A general account of the
plan being followed in this arrangement, and of the principal
specimens, is all that can now be attempted.

The natural system of classification is followed in the exhibi~
tion cases in the public gallery. The series of specimens begins
with the Natural Order Ranunculaceae, and the principal Orders
are represented in this and the following cases by dried
specimens of the plants themselves, coloured 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 homologous
structures throughout the 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;

SECOND FLOOR. ‘ , 65

Descriptive labels give particular information respecting each
specimen.

Dicotyledonous plants occupy three cases 011 the left side of the
gallery, and are followed by the Monocotyledonous 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 Gymnosperms are placed in the next case. Then
follow the Cryptogams, a case being devoted to the higher
vascular Orders, and another to the lower division of 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 by Mr. Worthington G. Smith. A Catalogue
of these models has been prepared.* A large chalk—like mass of
Diatomaceous earth containing twelve billion plants is placed
in a case by itself near the entrance to the gallery.

The larger specimens are placed 1n the tall cases in the centre Lug" 51m" l
of the gallery, following the order as far as possible of the speci— 32%;? cases.
mens in the wall—cases. , The right side of the first centre case
is filled with specimens of Dicotyledonous plants, such as
sections of White Oak and Walnut from Canada, of Eucalyptus,
Acacia, Lapomfea, and other trees ~from Australia, of the Cork
Oak grown in Chelsea Gardens, trunks of Ficus and Oarallt'a
with aerial roots, sent from Ceylon by Dr. Trimen, stems Of
Bombax and Xanthoxglou with conical prickles, and of Flacourtia
and Gledz'zfschia with branching thorns, and anomalous stems of
Bauht'nia, Eutada, and Dypsz’s. The next two centre cases are
filled with Monocotyledonous plants, among which in the first
case are stems and sections of the Date palm, several species of
Areca, sections and fruit of the Palmyra palm, stem and fruit
of the Sago palm, and a large spike of the allied Raphia from
Madagascar. In the next case are stems of the Wax palm,
sections and fruit of the Cocoa-nut palm, and of the Seychelles
palm. The remainder of this case is occupied with specimens
of the Dragon—tree of Madeira, of the Grass-trees and Black-
boys of Australia, of Vellozia from Brazil, Of Papyrus from

* ‘ Guide to Sowerby’ 5 Models of British Fungi.’ By W. Gr. Smith. Price
fourpence. '

British
Plants.

Herbarium.

66 EAST WING.

Egypt, of Bamboo and Sugar—cane. On the «other side of this
case specimens of Gymnosperms will be found, comprising a
large plant of Welwitschia from Africa, sections of Araucam‘a
from Norfolk Island, of Cedar grown in Chelsea Gardens, and

_ stems and sections of several species of Cycadew. The next two

cases contain specimens of Tree—ferns, among which are a large
stem of Dicksonia, clothed with aerial roots, from New Zealand,
stems of species of Alsophz'la and Oyathca from various tropical
regions, and of Hemitelia from South Africa.

Suspended over the centre cases is a fine specimen of the
“Wabo” Bamboo (Dendrocalamus Brandish} Munro) from
Burmah, 81 feet long. At the further end of the gallery are
specimens of a palm tree from Brazil, with a swollen stem
(Acrocomia, splzaeo‘ocmym Mart), and of the grass tree of
Australia (Kingia austmh’s R. Br.), and near them is placed a
fine section of the White Pine of British Columbia (Abies
grandis Lindl.).

A collection of British Plants is exhibited in glazed frames
fastened by hinges t0 uprights, and placed in the corners of the
gallery. The classification 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 a complete series of the Mosses, and forms the
beginning of the exhibition of Cellular Plants. Another stand
in the gallery, in continuation of this series of British plants,
contains drawings of the higher fungi by Mr. W. G. Smith.
These plants could not be dried so as to give a fair idea of their
form ; faithful coloured drawings have therefore been employed
for this part of the series.

The portion devoted to the use of the scientific student con-
sists mainly of the great Herbarium. This is a collection of
plants, fastened on single sheets of folio paper, representing, as
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 respective genera, and these are ar-
ranged in their Natural Orders, the whole are systematically g
classified, beginning with the most highly organised (the

SECOND FLOOR. - 67

Ranunculacew), and going down to the lowest members of the
Vegetable Kingdom (the Fungi).

The foundation of this great Herbarium was the collection Of Historical .

Sir Joseph Banks, consisting of the plants Obtained by himself 32:1 :33” m
and Dr. Solander in their voyage round the world with Captain barium-
Cook, and of numerous series from all quarters of the globe _
presented to him or purchased by him. He bequeathed all his ififieph
botanical collections to the Trustees Of the British Museum in
1820, reserving to Robert Brown, in whose charge they had
been for years, the use of them during his lifetime. Mr. Brown
transferred them to the Trustees of the Museum in 1827, and
was appointed the first Keeper of the Department. The yearly
additions since 1827 have been so extensive that the Banksian
Collections form now but a small proportion of the whole
Herbarium. In a brief notice it is impossible to give a correct
idea of the richness of this Herbarium. Among the principal
collections contained in it may be mentioned those Of Clayton,
Boemer, Miller, Brown, Bowie and Cunningham, Gardner,
Nuttall, Horsfield, KOnig, Martin, Masson, Wilson, Hampe,
Broome, Seemann, Welwitsch, Salt, Miers, Hance, and Triana.
It includes also authentic specimens received from Loureiro,
Gronovius, Tournefort, J acquin, Aublet, Ruiz and Pavon, Per-
rottet, and many others.

There is a separate Herbarium of British plants, based on the gglggsfi‘ium 0f
collections formed by Sowerby in the preparation of his great man“,
work, ‘English Botany.’ This is, perhaps, the largest and
most interesting public Herbarium of British plants, and its
value is constantly increasing by additions from botanists who
make the British Flora their special study.

The extensive Herbarium formed by Sir Hans Sloane became 5108119’9
the property of the nation in 1753, along with his other collec- Herbarium
tions. The plants gathered by himself in Jamaica formed the
nucleus Of this Herbarium,and to them were added the collections
Of Petiver, Buddle, Plukenet, Kaempfer, Kamel, Merrett, Boer-
haave, Vaillant, Banister, and others. According to the practice
of the time these plants were fastened on the leaves Of large
folio volumes, Of which there are altogether 310. This collection
had been placed in the library of the British Museum, and
remained there until the establishment of the Department of

F 2

Ray’s‘
Collection.

Collections of
Fruits, Seeds,
and Woods.

Library.

Original
Drawings of
Plants, and
Manuscripts.

68 EAST WING.

Botany, when it was transferred to the care of Mr. Brown. The
plants are well preserved, and are catalogued in a copy of
Ray’s ‘Historia Plantarum,’ kept beside them, so that they can
be easily consulted.

The collections formed by Hermann in Ceylon (from which
Linnaeus prepared his ‘Flora Zeylanica’), with annotations by
both Hermann and Linnaeus, are preserved in five volumes, four
containing plants, and the fifth consisting of drawings.

The department also contains the singularly interesting and
valuable collection of plants gathered in 1663 by John Ray in
his travels in Europe, a catalogue of which was published in
his account of the journey in 1673.

In these various Herbaria the Museum possesses an unri—
valled series of historical collections from the middle of the
seventeenth century to the present time.

Besides the collection of dried plants forming the Herbarium,
there are two allied collections arranged in the same gallery in
parallel series. The one is the collection of fruits and seeds
occupying the table cabinets in the centre of the gallery, and
the other the collection of woods placed in the smaller cabinets
in the centre of each bay. The position of the cabinets has
permitted the azrangement of the specimens belonging to these
two collections in close proximity to the Natural Orders in the
great Herbarium, to which they belong. The student can thus
easily command the specimens in the three collections in the ,
prosecution of his investigations. Nor is the facility of reference
confined to the mounted and finally arranged specimens, for the
method in which the unmounted collections are arranged and
temporarily stored in small rooms behind the great Herbarium
provides for their ready consultation, even though they may not
yet be incorporated in the Herbarium itself.

The student receives assistance in his investigations from the
extensive Library of the Department, and from a large collection
of plates and drawings of plants systematically arranged in the
same order as the plants in the Herbarium.

The collection of original drawings comprises specimens of
the work of many botanists and of the principal botanical
artists, such as Kamel, Ehret, J. Miller, Nodder, Aubriet,
Sidney Parkinson, J. R. & G. Forster, J acquin, Masson,

I. “.73”,

SECOND FLOOR. 69

Sowerby, Salisbury, Schomburghk, Fitch, Schleiden, W. G.
Smith, and especially Francis and, Ferdinand Bauer; and a
large collection of drawings of Chinese and Indian plants.

The department possesses also many valuable manuscripts,
such as those of Robert Brown, Solander, Ruiz and Pavon,
KOnig, Salisbury, and Miers, referring to plants now in the
Herbarium on which these botanists have worked.

The cellular plants are accommodated in a large room in the Cellular

Central Tower approached by a staircase, the entrance to which P1““'
is on the left side of the statue of Sir Joseph Banks. The
Mosses include the collections of Wilson, Hampe, Drummond
and Spruce ; the Liverworts contain the herbarium of Hampe;
With the Lichens are incorporated collections made by Carroll,
Spruce and Weddell. The Algae contain the herbarium Of Prof.
Dickie, the Diatomaceae 0f Kiitzing, Greville and Deby, and
collections from Harvey, Robert Brown, Shuttleworth, &c. The
extensive series of Fungi, including collections from various
botanists, has been increased by the bequest of the valuable
herbarium of the late Mr. C. E. Broome.

(70)

STAFF OF THE NATURAL HISTORY BRANCH
OF THE BRITISH MUSEUM.

 

Director .. .. .. .. SIR W. H. FLOWER, K.C.B., SC.D.,
D.C.L., LL.D., F.R.S.

Assistant Secretary .. .. .. C. E. FAGAN.

Clerks in Director’s Ofiice .. .. J. F. ISAAC; W. H. B. HOLL; W. J.
ANDERSON.

Assistant in General Library .. B. B. WOODWARD.

ZOOLOGICAL DEPARTMENT.

Keeper... .. .. .. .. A.GONTHER,M.A.,M.D.,Ph.D.,F.R.S.
Assistant Keeper .. .. .. A. G. BUTLER, Ph.D.
Assistants .. .. .. .. E. A. SMITH; R. BOWDLER SHARPE,

LL.D; C. O. WATERHOUSE; G. A.
BOULENGER; M. R. OLDFIELD
THOMAS; F. J. BELL, M.A.; W. R.
OGILVIE GRANT; W. F. KIRBY; R. I.
POCOCK; C. J. GAHAN, M.A.; B.
KIRKPATRICK; F. A. HERON, B.A.;
E. E. AUSTEN.

GEOLOGICAL DEPARTMENT.

Keeper .. .. .. .. H. WOODWARD, LL.D., F.R.S.
Assistant Keepe .. .. .. A. S. WOODWARD.
Assistants .. .. .. .. R. B. NEWTON; G. C. CRICK; F. A.

BATHER, M.A.; J. W. GREGORY,
D.Sc.; C. W. ANDREWS, B.Sc.

MIN ERALOGICAL DEPARTMENT.

Keeper .. .. .. .. L. FLETCHER, M.A., F.R.S.
Assistants .. .. .. .. H. A. MIERS, M.A.; G. T. PRIOR,
M.A.; L. J. SPENCER, B.A.

BOTANICAL DEPARTMENT.

Keeper .. .. .. .. W. CARRUTHERS, F.R.S.

Assistants .. .. .. .. J. BRITTEN; G. R. M. MURRAY; A.
GEPI’, M.A.; E. G. BAKER; A. B.
RENDLE, MA.

(71)

SELECTED LIST

OF THE

NATURAL HISTORY PUBLICATIONS

OF THE TRUSTEES OF THE

BRITISH MUSEUM.

REPORT on the Zoological Collections made in the Indo-Pacific
Ocean during the voyage of H.M.S. “ Alert,” 1881—2. Edited by
Dr. Giinther. 54 Plates. 1884, Svo. H. 103.

MAMMALS.

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

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

Catalogue of Seals and Whales. By Dr. J. E. Gray. Second edition.
101 Woodcuts. 1866, 8vo. 88.
Supplement. 11 Woodeuts. 1871, 8vo. 2s. 6d.

List of the Specimens of Cetacea in the Zoological Department.
By Prof. Flower. 1885, 8vo. ls. 6d.

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

Hand-List of the Edentate, Thick-skinned, and Ruminant Mammals.
By Dr. J. E. Gray. 42 Plates of Skulls, &c. 1873, 8v0. 12s.
Catalogue of the Marsupialia and Monotremata. By 0. Thomas.

28 Plates (4 001.). 1888, 8vo. ll. 83.

BIRDS.

Catalogue of the Birds in the British Museum :—
Vol. III. Passeriformes, or Perehing Birds. Coliomorphae. By
R. B. Sharpe. Woodcuts, and 14 coloured Plates. 1877, SW.
173.

72 SELECTED LIST OF THE NATURAL HISTORY PUBLICATIONS.

Catalogue of the Birds—continued.
Vol. IV. Cichlomorphae : Part I. By R. B. Sharpe. VVoodi-

cuts, and 14 coloured Plates. 1879, 8vo. ll.

 

Vol. V. ~———. Cichlomm‘phae: Part II. By B. Seebohm. Wood-
cuts, and 18 coloured Plates. 1881, 8vo. 1l.
Vol. VI. —-—. Cz'chlomorphw: Part III. By R. B. Sharpe. Wood-

cuts, and 18 coloured Plates. 1881, 8vo. 1l.
Vol. VII. Cichlomomhae : Part IV. By R. B. Sharpe.
Woodcuts, and 15 coloured Plates. 1883, 8v0. ll. 63.

 

 

Vol. VIII. Cichlomorphw: Part V.; and Ccrthiomm'phae.
By H. Gadow. Woodcuts, and 9 coloured Plates. 1883, 8v0.
178.

Vol. IX. Cinnyrimoophee. By H. Gadow. \Voodcuts, and

 

7 coloured Plates. 1884, 8V0. 143.

Vol. X. Fz-ingillzformes .' Part I. By R. B.. Sharpe.
Woodcuts, and 12 coloured Plates. 1885, 8vo. ll. 28.

Vol. XI. Fringilllformes: Part II. By P. L. Sclater.
Woodcuts, and 18 coloured Plates. 1886, SW. ll.

V01 XII. Fringillz'formes: Part III. By R. B. Sharpe.
Woodcuts, and 16 coloured Plates. 1888, SW. ll. 83.

Vol. XIII. Sturmformes. Also the families Atrichiidae
and Menuridae. By R. B. Sharpe. Woodcuts, and 15 coloured
Plates. 1890, 8v0. ll. 83.

Vol. XIV. Oligomyodae. By P. L. Sclater. \Voodcuts,
and 26 coloured Plates. 1888, 8vo. ll. 43.

Vol. XV. Tracheophonae. By P. L. Sclater. Woodcuts,
and 20 coloured Plates. 1890, 8vo. ll.

Vol. XVI. Picariae. Upupag and Trochili. By 0. Salvin.
Coraciae (part). By E. Hartert. Woodcuts and 14 coloured
Plates. 1892, 8vo. ll. 163.

Vol. XVII. Coraciee (contin.) and Halcyones. By R. B.
Sharpe. Buccrotes and T rogones. By W. R. 0. Grant. VVood—
cuts and 17 coloured Plates. 1892, 8vo. ll. 103.

Vol. XVIII. Scamsores. By E. Hargitt. Woodcuts, and
15 coloured Plates. 1890, 8vo. ll. Gs.

Vol. XIX. ~—. Scansores and Coccyges. By P. L. Sclater and
G. E. Shelley. 13 coloured Plates. 1891, 8vo. ll. 53.

Vol. XX. Psittaci, or Parrots. By T. Salvadori. Woodcuts
and 18 coloured Plates. 1891, 8v0. II. 108.

Vol. XXI. Columbae,.or Pigeons. By T. Salvadori. 15 coloured
Plates. 1893, 8vo. ll. 10.9. -

(Vol. I. Accipitres, and II. Striges, out of print.)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

E?
E
g

SELECTED LIST OF THE NATURAL HISTORY PUBLICATIONS. 73

REPTILES AND BATRACHIANS.

Catalogue of the Chelonians, Rhynchocephalians, and Crocodiles.
New edition. By G. A. Boulenger. 73 Woodcuts and 6 Plates.
1889, SW. 153.

Gigantic Land Tortoises (living and extinct). By Dr. Gunther.
54 Plates. 1877, 4to. ll. 108.

Catalogue of the Lizards. Second edition. By G. A. Boulenger.
Plates. 3 vol. 1885—87, 8v0. Vol. 1., 11., 20s. each; 111., 263.

Catalogue of the Snakes. Vol. 1. By G. A. Boulenger. 26
Woodcuts and 28 Plates. 1893, 8v0. ll. ls.

Catalogue of the Batrachia Salientia s. Ecaudata. Second edition.
By G. A. Boulenger. Woodcuts and 30 Plates. 1882, 8vo. ll. 10s.

Catalogue of the Batrachia Gradientia s. Caudata, and Batrachia
Apoda. Second edition. By G. A. Boulenger. 9 Plates. 1882,
Svo. 9s.

FISHES.

Catalogue of the Fishes. By Dr. Gunther. 8vo. Woodcuts. Vol.
VII., 1868, 88.; V01. VIII, 1870, 8s. 6d.

(Vol. 1.—VI. out of print.)
INSECTS.
Hymenopterous Insects.

Descriptions of New Species of Hymenoptera. By F. Smith.
1879, 8v0. 108.

List of Hymenoptera, with descriptions and figures of the Typical
Specimens. By W. F. Kirby. V01. 1., Tenthredinidae and
Siricidae. 16 coloured Plates. .1882, 8vo. ll. 18s.

Catalogue of British Hymenoptera. By F. Smith. Second edition.
Part I. Andrenidze and Apidae. [New Issue] ' 11 Plates.
1891, 8vo. 68.

Lepz'dopterous Insects.

Illustrations of Typical Specimens of Lepidoptera Heterocera. By
A. G. Butler. Parts 111., V.—1X. Coloured Plates. 187 9—93,
4t0. 21. to 2l. 108. a part. (Pts. 1., II. and IV. out of print.)

ECHINODERMS.
Catalogue of British Echinoderms. By F. J. Bell. \Voodcuts and
16 Plates. 1892, 8vo. 128. 6d.

ANTHOZOA.
Catalogue of the Madreporarian Corals. V01. 1. The Genus
Madrepora. By G. Brook. 35 Plates. 1893, 8vo. ll. 43.

74 SELECTED LIST OF THE NATURAL HISTORY PUBLICATIONS.

FOSSILS.

Catalogue of the Fossil Mammalia. By R. Lydekker. Parts I.—V.
Woodcuts. 1885-87, 8vo. 48. to 68. a volume.

Catalogue of the Fossil Birds. By R. Lydekker. Woodcuts.
1891, 8vo. 108. 8d.

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. \Voodcuts
and Plates. Parts I., II. 1889—91, 8vo. 218. a volume.

Systematic List of the Edwards Collection of British Oligocene
and Eocene Mollusca. By R. B. Newton. 1891, 8vo. 68.

Catalogue of the Fossil Cephalopoda. By A. H. Foord. VVoodcuts.

' Part I. 1888, 8vo. 103. 6d. Part II. 1891, 8vo. 15s.

A Catalogue of British Fossil Crustacea, with their Synonyms
and the Range in Time of each Genus and Order. By Dr. H.
Woodward. 1877, 8vo. 5s.

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, &0. 1886
4‘50. 258.

Catalogue of the Fossil Sponges in the Geological Department.
With descriptions of new and little-known species. By Dr. G.
J. Hinde. 38 Plates. 1883, 4to. ll. 103.

Catalogue of the Fossil Foraminifera. By T. Rupert Jones.
1882, 8vo. 5s.

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

 

These Publications can be purchased of Messrs. LONGMANS & 00., 39,
Paternoster Row ; Mr. QUARITCH, 15, Piccadilly; Messrs. KEGAN PAUL,
TRENCH, TBiiBNER & Co., Paternoster House, Charing Cross Road ;
and Messrs. DULAU & 00., 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.

 

(75)

GUIDE-BOOKS.

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

ZOOLOGICAL DEPARTMENT.

Guide to the Galleries of Mammalia (Mammalian, Osteological,
Cetacean) in the Department of Zoology. 57 Woodcuts and
2 Plans. Index. 8vo. 6d.

Guide to the Galleries of Reptiles and Fishes in the Department
of Zoology. 101 Woodcuts and 1 Plan. 8vo. 6d.

Guide to the Shell and Star—fish Galleries in the Department of
Zoology (Mollusca, thinodermata, Vermes). 51 Woodcuts and
1 Plan. 8vo. 4d.

[Guides to other sections in preparation;l

GEOLOGICAL DEPARTMENT.

A Guide to the Exhibition Galleries of the Department of Geology

and Palaeontology :—
Part I. Fossil Mammals and Birds. 119 Woodcuts and 1 Plan.
8vo. 6d.

Part II. Fossil Reptiles, Fishes, and Invertebrates. 94 Wood-
cuts and 1 Plan. 8vo. 6d.
Guide to the Collection of Fossil Fishes in the Department of
Geology and Palaeontology. 81 Woodcuts. 8vo. 4d.

76 GUIDE-BOOKS.

MINERALOGICAL DEPARTMENT.

A Guide to the Mineral Gallery. With Plan. 8v0. 1d.

An Introduction to the Study of Minerals, With a Guide to the
Mineral Gallery. Diagrams. Plan of the Mineral Gallery.
Index. 8vo. 6d.

The Student’s Index to the Collection of Minerals. SV-o. 2d.

An Introduction to the Study of Meteorites, with a List of the
Meteorites represented in the Collection. Plan of the Mineral
Gallery, and Index to the Meteorites represented in the Col-
lection. 8v0. 3d.

BOTANICAL DEPARTMENT.

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

 

The Guide-Books can be obtained only at the Natural History
Museum. Written communications respecting them should be addressed
to THE DIRECTOR.

 

 

(77)

REGULATIONS FOR THE ADMISSION OF STUDENTS.

1. The Exhibition Galleries and Study Collections are open to
Students every day of the week except Sunday, and except Good
Friday, Christmas Day, and any Fast 0r Thanksgiving Day ap-
pointed by authority.

2. The hours for the Exhibition Galleries are throughout the year
from ten in the morning—in January, November, and December
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.

3. The hours for the Study Collections are throughout the year
from ten till four o’clock.

4. 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.

5. 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.

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

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

8. The privilege of admission is granted upon the following con—
(litions :—

(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. .

9. All communications respecting the Departments of Natural

History must be addressed to—

THE DIRECTOR,
BRITISH MUSEUM (NATURAL HISTORY),

CROMWELL ROAD,
LONDON, SW.

,1

(78)

NUMBER OF VISITORS TO THE MUSEUM FROM THE DATE OF OPENING
(18TH APRIL, 1881).

1881 .. .. .. .. .. 231,284

1882 .. .. .. .. .. 278,027
_ 1883 .. .. .. .. .. 277,331
1884 .. .. .. .. .. 375,231
1885 .. .. .. .. .. 421,350
1886 .. .. .. .. .. 382,742
1887 .. .. .. .. .. 358,178
1888 .. .. .. .. .. 372,802
1889 .. .. .. .. .. 361,046
1890 .. .. .. .. .. 355,682
1891 .. .. .. .. .. 375,906
1892 .. .. .. .. .. 351,917

NUMBER OF VISITS T0 PARTICULAR DEPARTMENTS FOR THE
PURPOSE OF STUDY.

 

’ Zoolotry. I Geoloa . Mineralog . Botany.
o I by y

 

 

 

1883 . . . . I 5,229 1 2,453 617 . 1,023
1884. . . . 6,818 5 1,991 651 ' 993
1885 . . . . f 8,313 ; 1,959 626 1,105
1886 . . . . g 8,372 , 2,466 761 1,026
1887 . . . . 1 8,955 j 3,290 620 1,483
1888 . . . . a 8,797 1 3,111 733 2,214
1889 . . . . 3 8,360 a 3,339 683 1,344
1890 . . . . ; 9,034 ? 3,771 623 1,244
1891 . . . . ! 9,443 [ 2,961 946 2,226
1892 .' . . . } 10,932 1 4,107 1,751 2,585

 

W. H. FLOWER,

Director.

LONDON :
PRINTED BY WILLIAM CLOWES AND SONS, LIMITED,
sunrom) STREET up CHARING cnoss.

 

 

 

 

 

BRITISH MUSEUM
(NATURAL HISTORY).

DAYS ANU HOURS OF ADMISSION.

The Exhibition Galleries are open to the Public, free, every day

of the week, except Sunday, in

from 10 A.M. till 4 RM.

January,

February, ,, ,, ,, ,, 4.30 ,,
March, ,, ,, ,, ,, 5.30 ..
April to August, ,, ,, ,, ,, 6
September, ,, ., ,, ,, 5.30 ,,
October, ,, ,, ,, ., 5
November and December, ,, ,, ,, ,, 4 ,,

Also, from May 1st to the middle of July, on Mondays and
Saturdays only, till 8 P.M., \

and from the middle of July to the end of August, on Mondays
and Saturdays only, till 7 RM.

The Museum is olosed on Good-Friday and Christmas-Day.

By Order of the Trustees,
W. H. FLOWER,

Director.

 

 

LONDOX : PETITE!) BY W'ILLIAII CLOWES AKD SONS, LDIITED, STAMFORD STREET AND CHARUO CROSS

 

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