Exhibits— Zoology 



The installation early in the year of the case containing the giant 

 Galapagos tortoise and the giant alligator snapping turtle completes 

 the revision of the amphibian and reptile exhibits in Albert W. Harris 

 Hall (Hall 18), which now gives a synopsis of the kinds of amphibians 

 and reptiles and an indication of how and where they live. The re- 

 vision of this hall by the Division of Amphibians and Reptiles, which 

 was started some years ago, has currently been the responsibility of 

 Artist Joseph B. Krstolich aided by Assistant Taxidermist Peter 

 Anderson, with Taxidermist Carl W. Cotton doing the more recent 

 plastic models. 



The synoptic series of birds of the world in Boardman Conover 

 Hall (Hall 21) moved toward completion with the installation of an 

 exhibit showing twenty bird families from swifts, nightjars, and hum- 

 mingbirds to hornbills. Taxidermist Cotton and Assistant Taxi- 

 dermist Anderson were responsible for the installation of this exhibit, 

 which was planned by the Division of Birds (Staff Artist E. John 

 Pfiffner advised on design and supplied the paintings). Another 

 exhibit showing bird families from pigeons and parrots to owls is 

 nearly complete. 



The exhibit of shells from the Yarrington Collection that was on 

 display as a special feature in Stanley Field Hall last year (see Annual 

 Report 1958, page 26) has been placed in Hall M (Lower Inverte- 

 brates), where it occupies a central position as a permanent exhibit. 



The centennial of the publication of Charles Darwin's On the 

 Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection was commemorated 

 by the Museum with a special exhibit in Stanley Field Hall from 

 November 1 through the winter months (see page 25) . Part 1 of the 

 exhibit was concerned with the 1831-36 round-the-world voyage of 

 H.M.S. Beagle on which young Darwin began to formulate his ideas 

 of evolution, Part 2 illustrated the three important sources of evi- 

 dence for evolution (paleontology, embryology, and comparative 

 anatomy) and Darwin's four propositions supporting his theory of 

 natural selection, Part 3 was devoted to Darwin's main writings, and 

 Parts 4, 5, and 6 gave examples used by Darwin in the Origin. 

 Pictorial presentation was supported by books, specimens, facsimilies 

 of pertinent passages from books, and Darwiniana from our collec- 

 tions. The exhibit, which was prepared under direction of the Staff 

 Artist, was planned by Chief Curator Rand and Curator Davis. 



Exhibits in progress include a large fish-mobile, an exhibit of 

 living fossil-fishes, and plans and layouts for a revision of our sys- 

 tematic exhibits of mammals. 



76 



