52 
REPTILE GALLERY. 
formed by the late Mr. William Buckler, most of the specimens 
being those bred by him in the course of the preparation of his 
" Larvae of British Butterflies and Moths." Above these are 
four maps illustrating the geographical distribution of certain 
Beetles {Calosoma, Carctbus, Julodis and Stigmodera), the actual 
specimens being placed in position on the maps. The wall- 
cases at the end of the gallery are devoted exclusively to the 
nests of Ants, Wasps, and Bees. On the east wall is a large 
case containing specimens and drawings explaining the 
structure of Insects. Beneath this are cabinets containing a 
selection of British Insects (exclusive of Lepidoptera), and also 
a small series of foreign Butterflies. It is proposed that the 
Moths and other Insects shall follow in the next cabinet as soon 
as they can be arranged. Near these are exhibited a few 
coloured drawings of some of the smallest Insects known, 
namely the Mymaridce, a group of minute parasitic Hymenoptera, 
and above is a drawing of a common House-fly, enlarged in the 
same proportion, thirty diameters, to show the contrast. A few 
of the specimens themselves are placed in the microscope 
below. 
In the table-cases in the middle of the gallery will be 
found specimens and illustrations showing some of the prin- 
cipal families of Insects, with explanations of the characters 
by which they may be recognised. The first case (next to the 
west door) contains an introductory series, and then follow the 
various orders in sequence commencing with the most 
primitive forms or Aptera, among which Campodea, a small 
British insect, should be specially noticed. 
These table-cases are still under arrangement. The Moths 
now in the cases in the middle of the room will be removed. 
The classification of the Butterflies, the Bees and Ants, and 
the Beetles are shown in the last three cases. The main 
collection of insects is kept in cabinets in the " Insect Eoom " 
in the basement, but is open to students under the regulations 
mentioned at the end of this guide. 
Eeptiie III. The large Eeptile gallery contains mounted specimens 
GaUery. skeletons of Eeptiles, including Crocodiles, Lizards, Snakes, 
and Tortoises, as well as restorations or casts of the remains 
of many groups now entirely extinct. The most noticeable 
