ACCOUNTS, &C., OF THE BRITISH MUSEUM. 2$ 



Department of Zoology. 



Tlie various portions of the Zoological Collection have been increased during the year 

 1871 to the extent of 10,577 specimens. 



The following table will best exhibit the relative number of sjieciraens that has been 

 added to each of the four following classes of the Animal Kingdom, viz. : — 



Vertebrata -------- 2,047 



Mollusca - _ _ 2,G02 



Annulosa _____-_- 5,755 



Radiata --------- 173 



Total - - - 10,577 



Many of this extensive series of specimens are new species, and are highly interesting 

 on account of their being the type-specimens ujjou which the species were originally 

 established by zoologists. Others have been carefully selected from various collections 

 with a view of completing the series previously contained in the collection, either in the 

 way of additional siDCcies, or as specimens illustrating the differences that occur in allied 

 species in various localities, or as exhibiting the gradual changes which talce place during 

 their development and growth towards maturity. 



The various portions of the Zoological Collection which are exhibited in the public 

 rooms for the instruction and amusement of the general visitors, or which are retained in 

 cabinets and store-boxes or preserved in spirits for the use of the more scientific students, 

 have been re-arranged, for the purpose of adopting the new systems of arrangement 

 of certain groups that have been promulgated by modern naturalists, or for the sake of 

 conformity with the catalogues lately published by order of the Trustees, and, at the 

 same time, allowing the new species and recently acquired specimens to be properly 

 placed in the general arrangement, thus facilitating the means of access to the entire series 

 of specimens of (he various species contained in the Museum Collection when required for 

 the purpose of study. 



The Zoological Collections which are contained in the private and public rooms have, 

 on the private days, been visited by two thousand five hundred and eigliteen students for 

 the sjjecial object of scientifically studying their various portions. 



The following Catalogues have been prepared and printed during the year 1871 t— 



" Catalogue of Monkeys, Lemurs, and Fruit-eating Bats." By John Edwarrt 

 Gray, f.k.s. 



" Supplement to the Catalogue of Seals and Whales." By John Edward 

 Gray, f.r.s. 



" Hand-List of Genera and Species of Birds." Part III. By George Robert 

 Gray, r.n.s. 



"Catalogue of Dermaptera saltatoria." Part V. By Francis Walker, f.l.s. 



" Catalogue of //eferopto-OMS Hemiptera.''' Part lY. By Francis Walker, F.L.S. 



Among the series of specimens of Vertthrata that may be especially referred to as 

 having been lately added to the exhibited portions of the collection are those forming the 

 interesting groups of two species of Sloths, viz. : Arctopithecus r/riseus and Chnlmpus lioff- 

 manni. These groups, being placed in proximity to each other, exhibit tlie difi^erences of 

 age, and also the peculiarities of colour which occur in the two species as they advance 

 towards maturity. 



A fine series of the diff'erent species of Lemurs from Madagascar is also exhibited in 

 separate glass cases with a view of showing the peculiarities of colour and markings 

 which exist among them, especially in the case of one species, the " Ruffed Lemur " 

 (Vareci'i varin) of which there ai-e three specimens lately brought by Mr. Crossley, who 

 found them living together as one family in a forest in Madagascar. This species is 

 remarkable for assuming a very curious variation of colour (as is shown by tlie specimens 

 which form the group), and these differences have occasioned the varieties to be hitherto 

 regarded by zoologists as several distinct species. 



Two fine specimens (male and female) of the rare Inyala Antilope, ( 2'ragclaj)hus 

 ^^'^rr/s//,) brought from South Africa and presented by R. S. Fellowcs, Esq. 



Two species of rare Cetacean Mammals have been added to the British Zoological 

 Collection, viz. : The Pike Whale {Bahcnoptcra rostratci) which was procured off Wey- 

 mouth ; and the Grampus Rissoa/iict, also caught oft'tlic English coast. 



The following Vertebrata may also be particularly noticed, as ihey form valuable 

 additions to the Collection. 



A series of Mammals from Madagascar, containing examples of JEitpkres Goudoti, 

 Galidea olivacea and of Galidea elec/ans, &c. 



164. D Various 



