1899] ECHINODERMS AT THE BRITISH MUSEUM 5 



and we have heard that it is proposed to devote rather more attention 

 to the economic aspects of zoology than has hitherto been the custom 

 at the Natural History Museum. Consequently the seeker after new 

 delicacies can now see in this gallery a series of specimens of Trepang, 

 purchased in the Canton fish-market, and presented by George 

 Tradescant Lay, Esq. ; he can learn their zoological and their vernacular 

 names, the character of the food afforded by each, and the market 

 price. A table-case with dark red velvet ground and buff labels (not 

 unlike those in the U. S. National Museum) is a pleasing experiment 

 in museum-installation, and undoubtedly shows off the tests of sea- 

 urchins and star-fish to great advantage. Some exceedingly choice 

 specimens are mounted under glass shades fixed on the table-cases. 

 There are Diadema saxatile, a sea-urchin with unpleasantly long spines, 

 presented by Dr. J. Anderson ; two finely preserved brittle-stars, 

 Pectinura metadata, brought from New Zealand by H.M.S. Challenger ; 

 and a monster Echinus cscidentus from Plymouth, presented by C. 

 Stewart, Esq. 



Accessions to the Natural History Museum. 



An innovation that is of practical value, and that should increase the 

 interest of the public, is the assignment of one of the alcoves in the 

 central hall of the Natural History Museum to the exhibition of 

 specimens recently acquired. In this way those familiar with the 

 Museum are less likely to overlook important accessions in the vast 

 mass of accumulated material, while those whose familiarity is less 

 than it should be will have their sluggish interest aroused by the 

 mere statement that what they are looking at is " something new," for 

 in this respect all men are Athenians. Hitherto the exhibits in this 

 alcove have been confined to zoological specimens, perhaps because the 

 Director is also keeper of the Zoological Department. The following 

 have been on view : Fish, mollusca. and other invertebrata, from Lake 

 Tanganyika, collected by Mr. J. E. S. Moore, illustrating the marine 

 origin of the fauna and its antique character. Fish from the river 

 Congo, described by Mr. Boulenger (Annales Mies. Congo), and presented 

 by the Secretary of State of the Congo Free State. Lcpidosiren 

 paradoxa, collected in the Paraguayan Chaco by Mr. J. Graham Kerr. 

 A collection of rare birds from Patagonia and Argentina, presented by 

 Dr. F. P. Moreno, director of the La Plata Museum. The splendid 

 Hexactinellid sponges from Japan, to which we have previously 

 referred. A male Cervus sica manchuricus in full summer coat, — a 

 splendid specimen, presented by the Duke of Bedford. And a large 

 specimen of the Tarpon fish, Mcgalops thrissoides, captured off Florida 

 by Mr. Otis A. Mygatt, and presented by H.E.H. the Prince of Wales. 



