1895- NOTES AND COMMENTS. 91 



subjects, come within the cognisance of a scientific journal. A year 

 ago, with reference to Bulletin No. 3 of the lUinois State Museum of 

 Natural History, we pointed out that fifty-eight new species were 

 " described in a State publication, under the name of a State ofiicial ; 

 but that only four of the type-specimens were in the State museum, 

 the remaining fifty-four being in the private cabinets of the two 

 authors." Bulletin, No. 4, described thirteen new species, the type- 

 specimens all being in the cabinets of the authors. Bulletin, No. 5, 

 described thirty-six new species, none of which were in the State 

 museum, and of which the types of thirty-four were in the cabinets 

 of the authors. The 6th Bulletin, published on April 5th and now 

 before us, describes forty-two new species, and all the type-specimens 

 are in the private collection of the State geologist and curator of the 

 State museum of Illinois, Mr. Wm. F. E. Gurley, who with Mr. S. A. 

 Miller, is the joint author of the Bulletin. 



From the scientific point of view, type-specimens in private 

 collections are in the most useless places. All museums, worthy of 

 the name of scientific collections, endeavour to secure as many type- 

 specimens as possible, especially when these specimens come from 

 the localities in which the museums are situated. 



Now, consider the delightful nature of the state of affairs at the 

 Illinois museum. The State geologist has amassed a private 

 collection ; by describing his specimens in the State publication he 

 has turned a large number of them into valuable type-specimens ; 

 as curator of the State museum he has to recognise that the museum 

 is, alas ! destitute of these valuable types, and it is his duty to secure 

 them as speedily as may be for the museum, by purchase or otherwise. 

 It is a situation charming in its simplicity ; but, English institutions, 

 please do not copy ! 



Natural History at the Indian Exhibition. 



At the Empire of India Exhibition, Mr. Rowland Ward again 

 has an exhibit of Indian animal life in the jungle and on the moun- 

 tain. It is admitted that the amount of space at Mr. Ward's 

 disposal does not permit of a representation very satisfactory either 

 to the sportsman or the naturalist. The impressive solitude of the 

 jungle is replaced by scenes that remind one rather of the stage of 

 Drury Lane at pantomime time. The crowding of bears, antelopes, 

 leopards, and goats on a few canvas rocks, with heads of Ovis animon 

 stuck in the background like those of Bluebeard's wives, does not 

 constitute a particularly impressive picture. Another single tableau 

 shows the crocodile, buffalo, gaur bison, rhinoceros, black Himalayan 

 bear, black buck, pythons, adjutants, hornbills, tragopans, rose- 

 headed parrakeets, flying foxes, and some dozen other species of 

 mammals and birds. Some sort of excuse for this medley is sup- 

 posed to be afforded by a muddy pool, but Mr. Ward knows quite as 

 well as we do that this is absurd. Still, the naturalist may be 



