1899] ECHINODERMS AT THE BRITISH MUSEUM 5 
and we have heard that it is proposed to devote rather more attention 
to the economic aspects of zoology than has hitherto been the custom 
at the Natural History Museum. Consequently the seeker after new 
delicacies can now see in this gallery a series of specimens of Trepang, 
purchased in the Canton fish-market, and presented by George 
Tradescant Lay, Esq.; he can learn their zoological and their vernacular 
names, the character of the food afforded by each, and the market 
price. A table-case with dark red velvet ground and buff labels (not 
unlike those in the U. 8. National Museum) is a pleasing experiment 
in museum-installation, and undoubtedly shows off the tests of sea- 
urchins and star-fish to great advantage. Some exceedingly choice 
specimens are mounted under glass shades fixed on the table-cases. 
There are Diadema saxatile, a sea-urchin with unpleasantly long spines, 
presented by Dr. J. Anderson; two finely preserved brittle-stars, 
Pectinura maculata, brought from New Zealand by H.M.S. Challenger ; 
and a monster Hchinus esculentus from Plymouth, presented by C. 
Stewart, Esq. 
Accessions to the Natural History Museum. 
AN innovation that is of practical value, and that should increase the 
interest of the public, is the assignment of one of the alcoves in the 
central hall of the Natural History Museum to the exhibition of 
specimens recently acquired. In this way those familiar with the 
Museum are less likely to overlook important accessions in the vast 
mass of accumulated material, while those whose familiarity is less 
than it should be will have their sluggish interest aroused by the 
mere statement that what they are looking at is “something new,’ for 
in this respect all men are Athenians. Hitherto the exhibits in this 
alcove have been confined to zoological specimens, perhaps because the 
Director is also keeper of the Zoological Department. The following 
have been on view: Fish, mollusca, and other invertebrata, from Lake 
Tanganyika, collected by Mr. J. E. 8. Moore, illustrating the marine 
origin of the fauna and its antique character. Fish from the river 
Congo, described by Mr. Boulenger (Annales Mus. Congo), and presented 
by the Secretary of State of the Congo Free State.  Lepidosiren 
paradoxa, collected in the Paraguayan Chaco by Mr. J. Graham Kerr. 
A collection of rare birds from Patagonia and Argentina, presented by 
Dr. F. P. Moreno, director of the La Plata Museum. The splendid 
Hexactinellid sponges from Japan, to which we have previously 
referred. A male Cervus sica manchuricus in full summer coat,—a 
splendid specimen, presented by the Duke of Bedford. And a large 
specimen of the Tarpon fish, Megalops thrissoides, captured off Florida 
by Mr. Otis A. Mygatt, and presented by H.R.H. the Prince of Wales. 
