46 



the receptiou of a cast of the megatherium, in the Royal Col- 

 lege of Surgeons, London, presented by Joshua Bates, Esq., 

 of that city. The hall runs through the centre of the build- 

 ing embracing two stories, is foity by ninety feet on the 

 floor, and sixty feet in height. The ceiling is stuccoed in 

 panel, scroll and fretwork, and the hall is Hghted by win- 

 dows in the front and rear, and in the roof. Two balco- 

 nies, of unique design, supported by ii*on bearei*s, extend 

 aroimd the hall. Opening from the hall floor are four 

 square rooms, thiity by thirty feet, to be provided with 

 cases and balconies connecting with the hall balconies. The 

 eastern end of the haU and one south room are to be de- 

 voted to the department of Geology and Paleontology; 

 the corresponding room on the north side to Mineralogy ; 

 the western end of the hall and adjoining rooms to the 

 department of Comparative Anatomy, which exhibits one 

 of the largest collections in the country. The cases in 

 the hall are decorated with the horns of large ruminants. 

 On this floor are also two small working rooms. The third 

 story and balconies are reached by open flights of stairs on 

 each side of the hall. This upper story has four wing rooms, 

 con'espon<ding with those on the hall floor, Tsith smaller 

 rooms connecting them ; and is devoted to the departments 

 of Ornithology, Oology, Herpetology. Ichthyology, Conchol- 

 ogy, Crustacea, Radiata and Entomology. 



In the central apaitment of the basement is the large fire- 

 proof Gold heating apparatus, with three boilers which supply 

 steam for heating the buil.iing throughout. The two front 

 wing basement rooms are intended for storage, and the cor- 

 responding rear rooms are to be occupied as janitors and dis- 

 secting rooms. Adjoining the latter is a smaller macerating 

 room. 



The building is provided with a dumb waiter, closets, and 

 every other convenience required by the purposes to which 

 it is devoted. It is finished in oak, chestnut and walnut, 

 presenting a chaste and substantial appearance. 



The architect of the edifice is Mr. Wm. G. Preston, who 

 was assisted in the construction by the knowledge of build- 

 ing possessed by his father, Mr. Jonathan Preston. The fine 



