XXll PROCEEDINGS, 



protection from observation afforded by mimicry of tlieir sur- 

 roundings, for, although each was nearly as large as a florin, 

 it was almost impossible to detect them for some time under the 

 closest scrutiny, and not a few of the visitors seem to have come 

 away without detecting them at all. 



After a glance at the Index Collections, which he declared 

 to be the salient feature of the Museum and a whole education 

 in themselves, the President led the way to the room devoted 

 to the stuffed specimens of reptiles such as exist at the present 

 day. The peculiarities which distinguish the crocodile, alligator, 

 and gavial were first pointed out, particular attention being drawn 

 to the fact that these beasts are enabled, owing to the position 

 of their eyes, ears, and nostrils, to lie with the entire bulk of their 

 huge bodies submerged, and yet to breathe, listen for signs of 

 danger, and watch for their prey. The manner in which the 

 nasal passages tunnel the whole length of the enormous upper 

 jaw is also of great advantage to them, allowing them to hold 

 down and drown an animal too powerful to be otherwise disposed 

 of, while breathing without embarrassment themselves, and to 

 remain in that attitude if necessary until the flesh of large prey 

 should become softened. Only the bigger forms of lizards and 

 serpents are suitable for display in the dry state, but the cellars 

 of the Museum contain many thousands preserved in spirit for 

 purposes of scientific study. Fantastic species, such as the frilled 

 and spiny iguanas, are well represented in the room, as well as the 

 monitors, greatest of all the lizard tribe, reaching a length of seven 

 or eight feet, and feeding not only on the eggs of the crocodiles 

 but on the newly-hatched young ones. The President spoke in 

 terms of strong disapproval of the collection of snakes as being 

 wrongly named in many instances, erroneously described on the 

 labels, and badly set up ; but explained that most of them were 

 survivals of the old Bloomsbury clays of the Museum, and that 

 to replace them with better specimens (as will certainly be done 

 eventually) must be the work of time. 



Having inspected the most striking and gigantic fossil reptiles 

 in the gallery allotted to those now extinct, the party proceeded 

 upstairs to the great collection of the stuffed mammals, where Mr. 

 Stradling restricted his remarks for the most part to such as arc 

 becoming rare and may be considered on the verge of extermination. 

 Some of the creatures commented upon had been actual pets or im- 

 portations of his own when alive, and had been contributed, when 

 dead, by him to the Department, either directly or through the 

 Zoological Society. The scarce red wolf of Paraguay (stolen from 

 him and sold to provide funds for a wedding tour) was amongst 

 these. 



After a demonstration lasting about two hours, the proceedings 

 terminated with a vote of thanks to the President. 



