BRITISH ZOOLOGY. 
29 
groups of mountain lakes. Many species, or at all events, 
well-marked varieties of insects, and a few land and fresh- w^ater 
molluscs, have at present been only found within the limits of 
our islands. 
The upright cases on the south side of the room, between the 
two entrances, contain the larger mammals which still inhabit 
the British Islands, except the Cetacea (Whales and Dolpliins), 
which on account of their size are placed in the gallery appro- 
priated to the general collection of animals of that order (see 
p. 38). Of the Seals, but two species are really indigenous, the 
Common Seal [PJioca vihdina) and the Great Grey Seal {Ilali- 
chcerus grypus), but other species, as the Einged and the Harp 
Seal of the ISTorthern Seas, are exhibited in their capacity of 
occasional but rare visitors to our shores. Of the land Carnivora, 
specimens are seen of the Wild Cat, the Fox, the Badger, Otter, 
Marten, Polecat, Weasel, and Stoat or Ermine, which only 
occasionally (as in a beautiful example shown) assumes the 
white colour in England, though this change is the rule in 
countries with severer winter climates. The Eodents are 
represented by the Common and the Variable or Mountain 
Hare, which turns white in winter in the Highlands of Scotland, 
and by the Eabbit. Of the Euminants, a specimen of the wild 
White Bull of Chillingham Park, ^Northumberland, stands be- 
tween the cases, and there are stuffed specimens and antlers 
(above the cases) of the Eed, Eoe, and Fallow Deer ; the latter, 
however, an introduced species, now naturalised in our parks. 
The smaller mammals are exhibited in two square cases 
standing out in the body of the room, that on the left containing 
the Eodents (Squirrel, Dormouse, Voles, Mice, and Eats), and 
that on the right, the Insectivora (Hedgehog, Mole and Shrews) 
and the Bats. 
l^earer the middle of the room is a larger case, divided into 
an upper and a lower compartment, the former containing the 
Amphibia (Frogs, Toads, and Newts) in spirit, the latter the 
few species of Eeptiles (Snakes and Lizards) found in our 
islands. The distinctive characters of the three snakes, the 
Common or Einged Snake {Tropidonaius natrix), and the 
Smooth Snake (Coronella aiistriaca), both harmless, and the 
venomous Viper (Vipcra hertis), can be made out from the 
