NEW "ROOM" SHOW-CASES IN QUEENSLAND 



MUSEUM. 



(Plates I-IV.) 



The ground-floor attractions of the Queensland Museum have been greatly 

 increased by the opening of four large room-cases, each practically 12 feet 

 square. These were formed by the casing-in of alcoves, the cost of construction 

 thus being small when compared with the results obtained. Whilst arranging 

 these cases, precedence was given to the more characteristic Australian animals. 

 In the one (see Plate I) adjoining the Bird Court, a number of Emus, with 

 young and eggs, are appropriately grouped in plain country representing the 

 habitat in which they were secured. Large head and side labels give both 

 scientific and popular information as to the classification and habits of these 

 birds. 



Representatives of the genus Macro pus are given a natural setting — 

 although unavoidably crowded — around a waterhole in the case illustrated by 

 Plate II. The artist-taxidermist (Mr. A. Alder) has skilfully introduced stony 

 country, and this fades so imperceptibly into the background that it is difficult 

 to say which stones belong to the canvas painting. A key to the species is given 

 by means of a diagram, with circles placed to correspond with the position of 

 different animals. 



Australian Plialangeridce form the principal objects of the third case 

 (Plate III) . A scrub scene occupies the background, and in the distance the artist 

 has worked in the outlines of a Queensland mountain. Included here are the 

 beautiful North Queensland Opossums (Dactylopsila trivirgata, Pseudochirus 

 arclieri, and P. herbertensis). This case is one of the most striking objects in 

 the Museum. 



In the fourth case (Plate IV), Polyprotodont specimens have been intro- 

 duced, among them being the Tasmanian " Devil," the Marsupial Wolf, Native 

 Cats or Dasyures, and the Bandicoots. Wombats are also shown, these being in 



