The Museum as it stands To-day 105 



a greater number of skulls and parts of skeletons. Practically all 

 the New England mammals are represented in the study collection, 

 some groups, as the mice, shrews, moles, and squirrels, quite com- 

 pletely. This collection is well arranged and easily available for ref- 

 erence. The mounted material is well labelled and there should be 

 no difficulty for a visitor to identify any New England mammal 

 he has seen by inspecting those animals on exhibit. 



The mammal exhibits which attract most attention are the ar- 

 tificially illuminated habitat groups placed around the Main Hall. 

 These are particularly instructive and are accompanied by labels 

 giving ecological and other information about each species. These 

 include such species as bats, weasel, woodchuck, muskrat, raccoon, 

 mice, shrew, mole, porcupine, and fox. On the lower floor is a series 

 of habitat groups showing seasonal variation in mammal pelage. 

 The animal used is the Eastern Varying Hare. Four cases show 

 the coat of the animal in spring, summer, fall, and winter. 



A number of the larger marine mammals, the Cetaceans, from 

 New England coastal waters are displayed in the Main Hall. These 

 include Common Dolphin, Blackfish, White Whale, Pigmy Sperm 

 Whale, Grampus, and Common Harbor Porpoise. A skeleton forty- 

 eight feet long of a Finback Whale hangs in the center of the Main 

 Hall. 



A whale and whaling exhibit is placed in one corner of the Hall. 

 This includes jaw-bones, whaling instruments, and whale products 

 sucli as ambergris and baleen. There are also some teeth and a fine 

 collection of scrimshaw work. 



One room of the Museum is devoted exclusively to New Eng- 

 land furs. About forty skins are demonstrated, showing results from 

 various treatments and dyes, with a label indicating the compara- 



