SYNOPTICAL HALL 



This hall, which up to the last part of this 

 year, has formed the entrance hall, at present con- 

 tains series illustrating the types of elements, mine- 

 rals, and rocks composing the earth, and examples of 

 most of the orders of plants and animals. It has 

 just been started and it will take some time to com- 

 plete it, but it is hoped that when completed it will 

 illustrate by means of mounted specimens, dissections, 

 charts, etc., the important characteristics of all the 

 orders of animals and plants, as well as the composi- 

 tion of the earth. The series begins at the further 

 door and proceeds to the right. The first case starts at 

 the top with a sample of an aerolite, commonly known 

 as a meteor or shooting star. Then come the most 

 common elements of the earth as far as obtainable, 

 with squares back of each to indicate its relative 

 abundance in the earth's crust. Next come the most 

 abundant minerals. Below is given a short series 

 indicating the basis of classification of minerals. 

 In the case on the opposite side of the door 

 are examples of the different classes of rock. 

 The next case displays examples of the classes and 

 orders of plants, beginning at the lowest, arranged 



