THE NE W B UILDING 1 1 7 



the Iguana and the Texas Rattle Snake. A new group of the 

 series is one representing the Diamond Back Rattle Snake of 

 Florida. The larger of the specimens in this group is 7 feet in 

 length and has twelve rattles and two buttons. The Diamond 

 Back and the Texas Rattler are the largest members of the 

 Rattle Snake family and their strike is far more deadly than 

 that of the northern varieties, probably on account of their 

 size and weight and the great length of their fangs. The speci- 

 mens mounted in this group were presented by the New York 

 Zoological Society, and the accessories were collected by Mr. 

 E. J. Brown. 



The northern side of the hall is devoted to an educational 

 synoptic exhibit illustrating the ethnology of the principal tribes 

 of the Philippine Islands, a special feature of which is the series 

 of photographs and window transparencies illustrating the habi- 

 tations and the customs of the people. The sketch maps placed 

 in each case enable the visitor to learn at a glance the location 

 of the tribe which he is studying. 



The tower room beyond the East Mammal Hall is devoted 

 to reptiles and batrachians, particularly those of the vicinity 

 of New York City, which are described in the two Guide Leaflets 

 on these animals w^hich have been issued by the Museum, 



THE NEW BUILDING. 



] ROUND for the south wing of the west fagade of the 

 Museum building was broken May 21 and the 

 excavation for the new building is now well ad- 

 vanced. The new wing is to be 157 feet long 

 and 66 feet 2 inches wide, corresponding in style 

 with the side wings of the southern facade. A one-story exten- 

 sion on the east side has been provided for the accommodation 

 for certain special Japanese and Chinese exhibits. The basement 

 will be devoted to the carpenter shop and other workshops of 

 the Museum. Above the basement there will be four large exhi- 

 bition halls. The fifth story will be devoted to laboratories and 

 offices, while some much-needed storerooms will be made in 

 the attic. There will be an underground passageway 12 feet 

 wide and 12 feet high from the north end of the basement to 



