66 THE SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION. 



CASE 30. 



EAST SIDE Upper Shelf. Bats, from New South Wales, &c... Sloth, from British Guiana, 

 rare. ..Gophers, of California, etc., very destructive to the products of the farm and garden... 

 Salamanders. ..Prairie Dogs. 



These are almost the only inhabitants of the high, dry prairie land destitute of every form of vegetation ex- 

 cept grass. A Prairie Dog, however, is always fat. They are known to all western travelers, and found in im- 

 mense numbers on the overland route to California. 



Middle Shelf. Common Mink, the pest of farmers one has been known to kill 30 chickens 

 in a night. Weasels. ..Pine Martens, or American Sable. 

 The Ornithorynchus Paradoxus, or Duck Bill. 



This is an extraordinary animal, and when it was first described, and even after its skin was received in Eng- 

 land, naturalists hesitated to believe in its existence. It is a native of Australia, where it is called Water-mole. 

 It lives almost entirely in the water. 



Lower Shelf. Kaccoons.... Opossums. ...Skunks. ...Wood-Chucks. ...Ground Hogs. ...Musk 

 Rats, found over the whole country. 

 WEST SIDE Upper Shelf. Vats. 

 Middle Shelf. Musk-Rats. ..Weasels. ..Armadillos. 



The Armadillo is gifted with extraordinary strength sometimes elevating a weight placed on his back of an 

 100 pounds. It rolls itself up like a ball, and sleeps nearly all day. It is much sought for as food. It is inoffen- 

 sive, and can be handled with impunity. Armadillos never attempt to bite, nor has nature given them any 

 other means of defence than the ease and rapidity with which they avoid danger by burrowing. Their food 

 consists of fallen fruits, roots, and worms; but they do not reject carrion, and have been known to penetrate 

 into human graves. 



Lower Shelf. Bassaris Astuta, Civet Cat. 



Called Squirrel Cat by Texans. Lives among rocks and trees. It is easily tamed, and makes a mild and play- 

 ful pet. It is something between fox and raccoon sole representative in the New World of the genets, civets, 

 ichneumons, &c., of the Old. 



CASE 31. 



Toads. 



Window Case. Woods collected by Exploring Expedition. 



CASE 32. 



Upper Shelf.... Squirrels of various kinds. 



Middle Shelf. Hares. ..Rabbits. ..Prairie Dogs. ..Mice. ..Moles. ..Rats. 



Lower Shelf. Badgers... Ground Hogs... Beaver. 



The Agouti of the West Indies is the largest quadruped indigenous to these islands. They live exclusively on 

 vegetables. 



Hoary Marmots. ..W r ood Chucks. ..Civet Cats, &c. 



CASE 33. 

 Star-fishes. 



Window Case. Plaster Casts or Medallions. 



CASE 34. 



Corals. 



This is one of the most complete and beautiful collections extant, and has been arranged by Prof. J. D. Dana, of 

 Yale College. 



Middle Shelf. Crystals of Sulphur, Feldspar, and Lava, from the craters on the Sand- 

 wich Islands, collected by the Exploring Expedition. 



In procuring these specimens there was great risk. The persons walked over a crust of only two or three in- 

 ches of black lava, beneath which was a mass which lighted a pole instantaneously when pierced through it. 



CASE 35. 



Sepia, or Cuttle-Fish... Nautilus, and other Mollusks. 

 Window Case. Woods. 



CASE 36. 



Corals. 



Every branch of Coral may be considered as a tree or plant, all the buds of which are animated polypes. 

 Sponges. 

 As to the true nature of these extraordinary substances, naturalists are not altogether agreed. They are 



