INTRODUCTORY. 



25 



their zoological classes, orders, and families (so far as their 

 true position can be ascertained), and under each are placed 

 its name, geological position, and the locality whence it was 

 derived, each class being grouped chronologically in descending 

 order from the newest stratum to the very oldest. As only 

 a part of the galleries are at present open, and these are 

 not wholly arranged, visitors must not be surprised to find 

 that many series of Fossil Organisms cannot at present be 

 seen. It should, however, be borne in mind, that the collec- 

 tion is so large, and the removal from its old home has so 

 recently been effected, that some time must necessarily elapse 

 before the whole can be arranged. 



All the Fossil Vertebrata, comprising the Mammalia, Birds, 

 Reptiles, Amphibia, and Fishes, are exhibited. The Cepha- 

 lopoda and the rest of the Mollusca, with the Crustacea and 

 Echinodermata, can now be seen in Gallery B ; whilst the 

 Corals, Sponges, Foraminifera, and Plants, will soon be 

 exhibited in Gallery C. Lastly, a Stratigraphical series of 

 Rocks and Fossils is in preparation ; but the staff attached 

 to the Department being very limited, it cannot speedily 

 accomplish so large a task. 



The plan facing page 72, will serve to show the general 

 arrangement of the collections ; and those who knew the old 

 galleries, where the Departments of Geology and Mineralogy 

 were combined, will be able to form an idea of the vastly 

 increased exhibition space which the new building affords. 



The small Table of Strata, page 26, is given to show the 

 range in time of the great groups of Mammalia, Birds, 

 Reptiles, Amphibia, and Fishes. 



Explanatory labels and other means have been adopted to 

 bring the objects exhibited within the comprehension of all 

 visitors. 



