36 
STAIKCASE AND CORRIDORS. 
placed behind the skeleton. In the Man the external surface is 
shown by a papier-mache model, similarly lined and placed in 
a corresponding position. As all the principal bones of both 
skeletons have their names attached, a study of this group will 
afford not only a lesson in comparative anatomy, but may also 
be of practical utility to the artist. 
Section of Against the wall dividing the north hall from the central 
*« Big Tree." j^g^jj placed a section of a very large Wellingtonia or " Big 
Tree " {Sequoia gigantea), which was cut down in 1892 near 
Fresno, in California. It is about fifteen feet in diameter, and 
perfectly sound to the centre, showing distinctly 1,335 rings gf 
annual growth, which afford exact evidence of the age of the 
tree. An instantaneous photograph, taken while the tree was 
being felled, is placed near it, and shows its general appearance 
when living. Its height was 276 feet. 
The exhibits of Economic Zoology occupy the northern 
division of this hall. In the western wall-case are specimens 
showing the injury done to trees by various insects. The 
table-cases contain examples of the damage done in Britain 
to fruit, roots, corn, garden and vegetable produce, with 
specimens of the insects, and hints as to methods of destruction. 
There are also examples of injury done by insects abroad to 
cotton, tea, coffee, &c. In the cases under the windows are 
various parasites affecting man and domesticated animals. 
Staircase and Corridors. 
statue of On the first landing of the great staircase, facing the centre of 
Darwin. the hall, is placed the seated marble statue of Charles Darwin 
(b. 1809, d. 1882), to whose labours the study of natural history 
owes so vast an impulse. The statue was executed by Sir J. E. 
Boehm, E.A., as part of the " Darwin Memorial " raised by public 
subscription. It was unveiled and placed under the care of the 
Trustees of the Museum on the 9th of June, 1885, when an 
address was delivered on behalf of the Memorial Committee, by 
the late Professor Huxley, P.R.S., to which His Majesty the 
King (then Prince of Wales), as representing the Trustees, 
replied. 
