30 Department of Zoology. 



1870-1874. provision had been made for the safe reception of the collections 

 preserved in spirit and proposed that a separate building should 

 be erected. Dr. Gray also objected to the erection of exhibition 

 cases hermetically closed in front, and with the doors at the back, 

 as proposed by some witnesses before the Royal Commission 

 in 1872. 



In 1873 the building had made such progress that the 

 Trustees ordered the Keepers to watch its progress for the 

 purpose of seeing that the arrangements of the several galleries 

 were carried out in the manner that had been settled and 

 approved by the Trustees. 



1875-78. 



ARRANGEMENT OF THE COLLECTION. 



When Dr. Gunther became Keeper of Zoology as Dr. Gray's 

 successor he had to direct the work of the Department with the 

 prospect of moving the collections before many years had elapsed, 

 and with the view of satisfactorily arranging them in their new 

 home. All required more or less preparation for the impending 

 change, but, perhaps, none more so than the exhibition-series of 

 Mammalia, which for some years to come received the Keeper's 

 unremitting attention. The process of withdrawing from the 

 exhibition deteriorated specimens and types and substituting 

 others was systematically continued. The purchase of extensive 

 and unnamed collections was avoided as much as possible, pre- 

 ference being given to specimens of special value, or of particular 

 interest to the student, sportsman, or the general public. Many 

 of the specimens, skeletons as well as skins, which are still 

 ornaments in the galleries, were added or mounted during these 

 years. Mr. Dobson's arrangement of the Chiroptera falls chiefly 

 within this period, the catalogue being published-in 1878. 



The changes in the arrangement of the Birds in the gallery 

 proceeded with the progress of the catalogue, Mr. Sharpe with- 

 drawing the typical and many duplicate examples. Dr. Gunther 

 commenced about this time to form the collection of groups of 

 British nesting-birds with their natural surroundings, the perish- 

 able parts, like leaves, flowers, etc., being artificially reproduced. 

 The object of this mode of exhibition was to give to the host of 

 visitors who have hardly any opportunity of seeing or watching 

 the wild birds of their own country a glimpse into their 

 domestic arrangements. In order to render the groups absolutely 

 true to life, it was an essential condition that both parents, with 



