38 ACCOUNTS, &C., OF THE BRITISH MUSEUM. 



extinct birds, in the same eastern saloon. Near these may be studied the fossil remains 

 of M arsupial mammals from secondary (Purbeck) strata of our own island. Here, also, 

 may be seen the skull of a still more ancient extinct member of the mammalian class, from 

 a triassic formation of South Africa, the Trilylodon primavus. 



Of the other two Galleries of the east wing, that with the saloon, on the first floor, is 

 devoted to the rich series of Mineralogy, the Grallery above to the Department of Botany. 

 Both testify, with the several galleries of Geology and Zoology, to the science and 

 judgment of the respective keepers, and the pains bestowed to render their Collections 

 intelligible and instructive to Visitors. 



Richard Owen. 



Depaetment of Zoology. 



The removal of the Zoological collections, which had been discontinued during the 

 winter months, was resumed at the beginning of March of last year, and continued at 

 intermittent intervals to the end of August, when the actual work of removal was 

 completed.* 



Excepting a certain amount of deterioration which was unavoidable from so general a 

 disturbance, and which is fully compensated by the thorough examination to which every 

 part of the collections was subjected, no specimen of any value suffered serious injury, 

 saving a Penf.acrimis, which can be replaced without great difficulty. 



The re-arrangement of the collections was begun during the removal, and has been 

 continued to the present time. In some of the Galleries this work occupied a much 

 longer period than was anticiijated, owing to various circumstances : thus in the Shell 

 Gallery the repairs of the old table-cases necessitated a double removal or re-arrangement 

 of the 3,200 drawers and of the 28,000 tablets belonging to the collection of Mollusca ; 

 in the Fish Gallery a similar cause, combined with the influx of a great number of recent 

 additions, has retarded the completion of the arrangements of its contents ; in the Insect 

 and British Galleries new typical series have to be formed for exhibition, as the 

 specimens exhibited in the old building had become too much deteriorated by the 

 exposure to light to be instructive. 



The Mammalian, Bird, Reptile, Shell, Starfish, and Coral Galleries, however, were 

 suflficiently advanced to be opened to the public in quick succession, but there remains 

 now the very important work of preparing explanatory labels and guide-books to render 

 the contents of these galleries and their arrangements accessible to the understanding of 

 the public. 



The study series which are not exhibited, and which comprise by far the greater 

 number of specimens, were opened to the use of students with the least possible delay, 

 the Entomological collections on September 1st. 



The local accommodation for advanced students as well as beginners is ample at 

 present. A general study room has been furnished with the requisite fittings ; and, 

 besides, special provision has been made for this class of visitors in the Osteological 

 Gallery, Spirit-building, and in the Bird and Insect Rooms. A separate room has been 

 set aside for artists. 



The work of this transference of the collections has necessarily occupied by far the 

 greater part of the time of the Staff of the Department, and will continue to do so for 

 perhaps another year. Although no special efforts could be made to increase the collec- 

 tions by the acquisition of desiderata, nevertheless, large and important ftccessions were 

 obtained ; every care was taken to keep them in a state of preservation, but little time 

 was available for their examination and incorporation. 



I. — Arrangement. 



Considerations for the internal architecture of the galleries demanded that the exhibi- 

 tion series of Mammalia should be placed in the long gallery of the first floor, an 

 arrangement which, although not originally contemplated, proved to off'er this advantage, 

 that the Mammalian collections generally (with the exception of the V/hales and 

 Dolphins), as well as the collections of Birds, severally remained in contiguity. The 

 exhibited series of Birds occupies the long gallery of the ground floor. Passages lead 

 from this gallery into the three largest of the side galleries which are occupied, the 

 first by Reptiles, the second by Batrachians and Fishes, and the third by Mollusca. Two 

 intermediate nan-ow galleries contain the exhibition series of Annulosa, Echinodermata 

 and Vermes, and, finally, the architecture of a long central gallery offered peculiar advan- 

 tages for an effective displav of Molluscoidea, Corals, Sponges, and Protozoa. 



With 



* The actual removal occupie'l 97 days, on which 354 journeys were made by the vans engaged. The 

 collections were removed, either packed in boxes or trays, to the number of 5.171, or as single specimens, 

 of which there were 1.3J8. The spirit collections were contained in 52,6-35 bottles. The number of 

 cabinets removed amounted to 350, and that of other pieces of fittings and furniture to 1,348. 



