50 
REPTILE GALLERY. 
Reptile 111. A large gallery containing stuffed specimens and 
Gallery. skeletons of Reptiles, including Crocodiles, Lizards, Snakes, 
and Tortoises, as well as restorations or casts of the remains 
of many groups now entirely extinct. The gallery contains 
examples of most of the forms of general interest, but their 
arrangement is not yet completed. 
The Crocodiles and their extinct relatives occupy tlie three 
cases on the left of the entrance from the Bird Gallery ; among 
these may be specially noticed the Indian Gharial, of which 
both the skeleton and skin are exhibited. The two small cases 
on each side of the west doorway are occupied by extinct forms 
and the peculiar Taatera Lizard of l^ew Zealand. At the south 
Fig. 25. — Saddle-backed Giant Tortoise of Aldabra 
Island (TestwJo ephippium), Galapagos Group. 
end of the east side are arranged the Turtles and Tortoises, 
including examples of the Giant Tortoises of the Galapagos and 
Mascarene Islands (fig. 25). Opposite the Turtles and Tortoises 
are the Snakes, among which the two large Pythons, coloured to 
nature, form attractive exhibits. Extinct groups occupy the 
two small cases on each side of the east door. Beyond these 
come the Lizards, which occupy the cases opposite the Croco- 
diles. The fine series of Old World Monitors and American 
Iguanas are specially noteworthy. 
Amphibia. In the middle of the Eeptile Gallery a large table- case is 
placed containing a selection of the more important forms of 
Amjjhibians, which are divided into such as possess a tail: 
Salamanders and Newts; and into those without tails: Frogs 
