FLOOR.] BRITISH ZOOLOGICAL COLLECTION. 
17 
Cases 24-26. The Crocodiles and Amphisbcenas. The Cro- 
codiles and Alligators drown their prey, and then devour it; the 
Alligators are only found in America ; the Garial, or long-beaked 
Crocodile, is peculiar to India, and feeds chiefly, on fishes, for taking 
which its long and slender snout and sharp teeth are well adapted. 
The Amphisboenas are so called from both ends being nearly equally 
blunt, which has led to the idea that they could move backwards or 
forwards with equal ease. 
Case 26. The Batrachia, such as the Toads, Frogs, and Efts ; 
the Tree-frogs can walk on polished surfaces, and under the smoothest 
leaves ; the Bull-frogs of America, so called from their loud bellowing 
noise ; the horned Toads of Brazil ; the Pipa of Brazil, which deposits 
its eggs in cells on the back of the male, where they are hatched, pass- 
ing through the form of the tadpole, and escaping as a frog after a 
certain period ; the Siren of Carolina, which looks like an eel, with 
front legs — it is a truly amphibious animal, with lungs and gills ; 
as is the Proteus of the dark, subterraneous caves of Carniola, which 
is here further exemplified by a wax model, to show its appearance 
when alive ; the coral-coloured appendages to the head are the gills ; 
it has also lungs. The Mudfish (Lepidosiren) from the Gambia, shaped 
like an eel, covered with large scales, and having four elongated 
fringed filaments on which it supports itself. In summer, when the 
water in the rivers is dried up, it sinks two or three; feet in the mud. 
and becomes torpid. It is often dug up and eaten. This specimen 
was formerly exhibited alive in the Crystal Palace. 
The Table Cases (1 to 10) contain the Echini, or Sea-eggs, such as 
the Club-spined Echinus and the Tessellated Echinus ; the spines 
readily fall off when the animal is dead. Tables 7, 8. Sea Pancakes, 
so depressed that there scarcely appears to be any room for their in- 
ternal organs. Many Echini are found in a fossil state, particularly 
in the chalk. Tables 11-18. The Star-fish, some with five and 
others with many rays ; the rays are easily reproduced when broken 
or injured. Tables 19-23. The Lizard-tailed Star-fish throw off 
the ends of their rays when they are handled or put into fresh water. 
Table 23. The Gorgon's Head, with its many branches, somewhat 
resembling the Medusa's Head of Mythology. Table 24. The Comatula, 
or Sea Wigs, the living representatives of the Encrinites found so 
abundantly in some rocks. There is a recent Encrinite from the West 
Indies in a small case at the side of the doorway. 
TITE THIRD ROOM CONTAINS THE 
BRITISH ZOOLOGICAL COLLECTION. 
The Wall Cases hold the Vertebrated Animals ; the larger species, 
such as the Whales, Sharks, Tunny, &c, are suspended on the Walls, 
or placed on the tops of the Cases. 
The Table Cases contain the Eggs of the Birds ; a scries of 
British Annulose Animals, to illustrate the arrangement of the British 
c 
