TYPICAL OBJECTS IN NATURAL HISTORY. Ill 



series; but good types of all the main groups in the three great kingdoms of 

 nature would be publicly displayed. 



Frequent additions to a general collection necessitate continual re- 

 arrangements among the objects deposited in Museums ; but a set of hori- 

 zontal cases on the floor may be advantageously appropriated to the 

 display of the selected types. These will form a sort of " Typical Epi- 

 tome" of natural history, distinct from the rest of the collection. This 

 Epitome will serve as a general index to the whole ; and where a typical 

 specimen (from size or other consideration) could not be ranged in the 

 horizontal cases, a model or figure would occupy its place, accompanied by 

 a reference to the spot where (if it be in the Museum) it may be seen. By 

 a little tact and contrivance, such a Typical Epitome may be reduced within 

 a narrow compass. Very limited Museums might advantageously restrict 

 their collections to little more than a general typical series; always ex- 

 cepting those special collections which are to illustrate the natural history of 

 their own neighbourhoods. 



Perhaps the plan of a general circular inviting naturalists to cooperate in 

 furnishing typical series for the departments with which they happen to be 

 best acquainted, has not been so successful as a more special application to 

 individual Members of the Association might have proved. A few, however, 

 have kindly favoured us with lists, and the publication of these may probably 

 prevail with others to assist in completing a scheme which the Natural 

 History Section has twice sanctioned, and which partial experience has 

 proved to be of considerable utility. No Curator can be equally competent 

 in all departments of natural history, to select the types best adapted for 

 illustrating the principal groups* in which genera are ranged. 



ANIMAL KINGDOM. 



N.B In the present imperfect state of the returns, the divisions into 



Classes, Orders, &c. are retained as the respective authors have employed 

 these terms. 



Class MAMMALIA. 

 No list sent in. 



Class AVES. 



The types are selected for groups nearly according with the arrangement 

 of Mr. G. R. Gray. List supplied by Philip Lutley Sclater, Esq. 



Ordo I. ACCIPITRES. 



1 . Vulturidae Neophron percnopterus B. 



2. Falconidae Falco peregrinus B. 



3. Strigidae Strixfiammea B. 



* Great service will be rendered, if those who furnish the lists, will, as far as possible, 

 give references to good figures of the types selected. A (B) should be placed after such spe- 

 cies as occur in Britain. 



