12 GUIDE TO THE AUSTRALIAN MUSEUM. 



We first enter a lofty liall and our attention is at once- 

 attracted by the mounted examples of large Sunfislies (Ortha- 

 goriscus molaj, Sharks, Rays, Swordtishes, Dolphins, and Por- 

 poises, hanging from the gallery; among others the ferocious 

 White Pointer, Tiger and Hammerheaded Sharks ; the Black 

 Sting-Ray; and the curious Thresher, which uses its long tail 

 with no little effect on the back of Whales. Most of these 

 have been caught in Port Jackson and its vicinity. After 

 looking at these we should observe also the Crocodiles, Tor- 

 toises, and other large animals mounted in groups. 



In crossing the hall we pass the collections of Insects. These are 

 at present placed in five cases running across the centre of the room • 

 Two of these contain the type or index collections of Foreign 

 Coleoptera (Beetles) and Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths) and 

 the representative collections (Australian and Foreign) of Orthojr 

 tera (Grasshoppers, Locusts, &c.), Diptera (Flies, &c.), Neuroptera 

 (Dragon-flies, &c.), Rhynchota (Bugs, &c.), and Eymenoptera 

 (Bees, Wasps, ifec.) The other cases contain the Australian 

 collections of Coleoptera and Lepidoptera. 



The next cases to demand our attention are those containing 

 the collections of Shells. These are always attractive from their 

 beautiful forms and colours. Shells are the homes of soft bodied 

 animals — the Mollusca — and though it is impossible to understand 

 their structure and life habits from a study of the shells alone, 

 yet they are interesting as the skeletons of other animals are 

 interesting, and they show even a greater variety of form. 

 Combined with the general collection is the Ilargraves' Collec- 

 tion, collected by Mr. Hargraves, from whom they were purchased 

 by the late Mr. Thos. Walker of Yaralla, and presented to the 

 Australian Museum. The specimens which belong to this collec- 

 tion are marked " Ilargraves' Coll." This combined collection, 

 which numbers many thousand species, is considered one of the 

 largest in the world. As the arrangement of these is still in 

 progress it will be impossible to say more at j) resent with regard 

 to their disposition. A Catalogue of the whole will be issued 

 when the work is completed. 



Beyond the cases containing shells is a room devoted at present 

 to a portion of the Mineral Collection. If the visitor begins at 



