36 



STAIKCASE AND CORRIDOES. 



Section of 

 " Big Tree." 



placed behind the skeleton. In the Man the external surface is 

 shown by a papier-mache model, similarly lined and placed in 

 a corresponding position. As all the principal bones of both 

 skeletons have their names attached, a study of this group will 

 afford not only a lesson in comparative anatomy, but may also 

 be of practical utility to the artist. 



Against the wall dividing the north haU from the central 

 hall is placed a section of a very large Wellingtonia or " Big 

 Tree " {Sequoia gigantea), which was cut down in 1892 near 

 Fresno, in California. It is about iifteen feet in diameter, and 

 perfectly sound to the centre, showing distinctly 1,335 rings of 

 annual growth, which afford exact evidence of the age of the 

 tree. An instantaneous photograph, taken while the tree was 

 being felled, is placed near it, and shows its general appearance 

 when living. Its height was 276 feet. 



The exhibits of liconomic Zoology occupy the northern 

 division of this hall. In the western wall-case are specimens 

 showing the injury done to trees by various insects. The 

 table- cases contain examples of the damage done in Britain 

 to fruit, roots, corn, garden and vegetable produce, with 

 specimens of the insects, and hints as to methods of destruction. 

 There are also examples of injury done by insects abroad to 

 cotton, tea, coffee, &c. In the cases under the windows are 

 various parasites affecting man and domesticated animals. 



Staircase and Corridors. 



Btatue of 

 Darwin. 



On the first landing of the great staircase, facing the centre of 

 the haU, is placed the seated marble statue of Charles Darwin 

 (b. 1809, d. 1882), to whose labours the study of natural history 

 owes so vast an impulse. The statue was executed by Sir J. E. 

 Boehm, E.A., as part of the " Darwin Memorial " raised by public 

 subscription. It was unveiled and placed under the care of the 

 Trustees of the Museum on the 9th of June, 1885, when an 

 address was delivered on behalf of the Memorial Committee, by 

 the late Professor Huxley, P.E.S., to which His Majesty the 

 King (then Prince of Wales), as representing the Trustees, 

 replied. 



