1893. THE ROTHSCHILD MUSEUM. 61 
and coloured from life by Mr. Frohawke: the preservation and 
colouring of the carunculated skin of the neck form one of the 
greatest triumphs in the taxidermist’s art. Young emus, showing 
the striped character of the early plumage, are also interesting ; and 
to illustrate the development of the struthious birds in the past, Mr. 
Rothschild has added a model of the skeleton of the New Zealand 
moa, other moa bones, and a complete egg of the great extinct 
Madagascar bird, Apyormis. In an adjoining case the display of 
eagles also deserves special notice. 
Passing to the gallery, there are a few striking fossils occupying 
the walls of the staircase, notably Ichthyosaurus and Steneosaurus from 
the Lias, and a large palm-leaf from the Eocene of Monte Bolca, 
near Verona. A striking object here also is an enormous stuffed 
python, from Western Africa. The large specimens to be seen from 
the gallery scarcely require detailed enumeration, the general arrange- 
ment being shown in the accompanying Fig. 2. Mr. Rothschild, like 
a true naturalist, does not regard extinct animals as belonging toa 
totally distinct domain from those now living; and he thus places, 
for comparison with the sloths and armadillos, models of the skeletons 
of Megatherium and Glyptodon. There is also a noteworthy extinct 
giant tortoise, Testudo gvandidiert, from Madagascar, represented only 
by the shell; the limbs of this animal (it is said) having, by accident, 
been offered to and purchased by the British Museum. Around the 
walls are the fishes and reptiles, only a small space being reserved 
for the other groups, which, as we mentioned above, are confined 
merely to typical examples. Of the fishes, the best things to be seen 
are a Saw-fish, some sturgeons, some excellent specimens of European 
species, and a few in spirits. Inthe hanging boxes on the balustrade 
the insects are remarkable for their perfection, and here the same rule 
is carried out, that of showing only typical examples of the various 
orders. 
All these collections are open to the public during certain hours 
on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, and it is gratifying 
to find that Mr. Rothschild’s liberality is appreciated. Since the formal 
opening early in September, no less than 16,000 visitors have been 
admitted, and the largest attendance is on the Wednesday evening 
from 4 to 7, when as many as 300 persons frequently pass the door. 
The Museum is lighted throughout by electricity, and the rows of small 
incandescent lamps are most conveniently and admirably arranged. 
Referring next to the purely scientific collections, it must suffice 
merely to enumerate the various series of specimens they comprise. 
Among birds may be mentioned the following :— 
(i.) The Bartlett Collection of weaver birds and finches. 
(ii.) The Holdsworth Collection from Ceylon. 
(iii.) The Bruijn and Beccari Collection both of birds and 
mammals from New Guinea, containing many type- 
specimens of birds described by Count Salvadori. 
