THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST. 73 



SO that an almost uninterrupted view may be obtained of their 

 contents, while all the wood-work is now polished black, instead 

 of in its natural cedar or mahogany colour. A large number of 

 the specimens have been re-labelled, and further interest is given 

 by the introduction of cards, on which appears a map of the 

 world, coloured, to indicate the geographical distribution of each 

 genus, while in some instances, such as for cases containing special 

 groups, more extensive notes about the habits of the specimens have 

 been added. In the arrangement of the cases much more room 

 has been allowed to permit of visitors viewing the cases from all 

 sides, and the system of arrangement has been altered from that 

 of geographical grouping to zoological sequence. 



Entering the main hall, about 154 x 119 feet, by the present 

 entrance at the western end, the visitor is at once attracted by the 

 fine groups of mammals on either hand, but, in order to sys- 

 tematically follow out the arrangement, one must proceed to the 

 other end of the hall, where, when the new buildings in course of 

 construction are completed, the main entrance will be situated. 

 The mammals occupy the whole central floor space of the hall, 

 and commencing on the left-hand side with the Monotremata and 

 Marsupialia, the student follows round order after order till he 

 reaches the Primates almost opposite. 



Contrary to the custom in most museums, here the majority of 

 the larger mammals are shown without cases, being arranged in 

 groups, built up in pyramidal form on artificial rock-work. Thus, 

 in going round the hall, after the marsupials we come to the first 

 group of the Ungulata, group A, which is devoted to the section 

 Suina, of the sub-order Artiodactyla (paired toes), and surmounted 

 by a hippopotamus, comprises twelve examples of ten species. 

 Passing a few small cases, group B, order Ungulata, sub-order 

 Artiodactyla, which is one of the features of the Museum, attracts 

 our attenton. This contains a fine collection of deer, antelopes, 

 &c., numbering 65 specimens and representing 47 species. Close 

 by group C, composed of representatives of the same order and 

 sub-order, numbers 29 specimens, of 18 species, and includes the 

 giraffe, yak, camels, llama, &c. Crossing to the other side of the 

 hall, and passing some cases with fine examples of Arctic fauna 

 in winter dress, we come to group D, devoted to members of the 

 sub-order Perissodactyla (unpaired toes) of the Ungulata, which, 

 with representatives of the Asiatic and African elephants, com- 

 prises 29 specimens, such as zebras, rhinoceros, tapirs, &c., 

 belonging to 1 1 species. Passing some minor exhibits, we come 

 to group E, another extensive collection of animals representing 

 the Carnivora, and comprising 53 specimens, belonging to 36 

 species. Here we find the seals on the rocks and in tiie caves, 

 while the bears, leopards, lions, &c., are placed about on rocky 

 ledges. The collection of Quadrumana is contained in several 



