776 THE AMERICAN NATURALIST.  [VoL. XXXIII. 
every possible feature illustrated by specimens, the collec- 
tions serve in. the highest degree to show what such produc- 
tions can do as mediums of instruction. In the paleontological 
collection vertical cases arranged on the alcove system are 
employed, interspersed with pyramidal “ A” cases, in which 
the smaller specimens are shown. Every effort is put forth by 
the use of photographs, wash drawings, models, and descriptive 
labels to make the collections instructive. In connection with 
the vertebrate fossils there are even exhibited mounted skele- 
tons of the modern elephant, rhinoceros, etc., in order to make 
clear by comparison the structure of the ancient mammals. 
Such an exhibit is most admirable but is possible, of course, 
only to museums of the largest size. 
Museum of Practical Geology, Jermyn Street.— The plan 
of the museum building is that of tiers of galleries around 
a central roofed court. The lighting from above causes 
bad reflections in the flat cases around the court. The 
vertical cases are better lighted, but are narrow, necessitating 
upright installation, which is often inconvenient. The practical 
purposes of the museum have been kept in mind in the make-up 
of the collections, but, as seems often to be the case, the col- 
lections gathered on scientific lines are outgrowing those of 
economic interest. Among methods of installation I noted 
specially the mode of exhibiting maps. They are hung rolled 
on spring rollers from the edge of the gallery, whence a de- 
scending tassel permits the visitor to draw the map down for 
examination. Space is thus economized and the maps are bet- 
ter preserved. The large slabs of Ichthyosaur and Plesiosaur 
remains are framed and covered with glass, thus enhancing the 
appearance of the specimens and serving for their better pres- 
ervation. An excellent handbook to the museum makes a 
study of the collections easy and interesting. 
British Museum. — I have but a single note to quote of this 
museum, though much might be said of it in approval. Gems 
are displayed by being set in a frame placed in the outer part 
_ of a case with sloping sides, in the interior of which mirrors are 
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