WHALE ROOM. 
00 
stock, of which they may be regarded as a degenerate type. It 
is in the larv^ie that the evidence of vertebrate relationship is 
most conspicuous, as is well shown in fig. 31, where the striking 
resemblance between a Tadpole and a young Ascidian is dis- 
played. 
A fine series of very large shells and some interesting 
Cephalopods in spirit occupy four upright cases at the sides 
of the gallery, where are also placed some small table-cases 
containing series of the eggs of Mollusca and of the opercula, 
or lids, by means of which the opening or mouth of the 
shell is closed in some forms ; also specimens illustrating 
FROG 
ASCIDIAN 
Fig. 31. — Tadpole of Fkog and Ascidian. 
(From Laukester's " Degeneration.") 
the formation of pearls, and other points of special interest 
connected with the class. 
Whale Eoom. 
Approached by a staircase, leading from the last (or western- Whale Room, 
most) of the passages which connect the Bird Gallery with the 
Coral Gallery, is a separate room in which are placed the specimens 
of whale-like animals. For these, on account of their large size, 
no other place could be found in the portion of the Museum 
galleries already completed. The room has, unfortunately, 
the disadvantage of being too small to display such 
large animals to full advantage. It is also intersected by 
columns, which interfere with the complete view of the larger 
