28 
CENTRAL HALL. 
recorded occurrences raake the list rather a vague and uncertain 
one. The constitution of the marine fauna in the same way is 
continually liable to undergo fluctuations. 
Slight but permanent variations from the continental type can 
be recognised in a few of our indigenous species, but the only 
veitebrated animals undoubtedly peculiar to the British Isles are 
the common red grouse {Lagopus scoticus), and several species of 
fresh- water fishes (fifteen are enumerated by Dr. Giinther), 
mostly belonging to the genus Salmo. Some of these have an 
extremely local distribution, being only found in some small 
groups of mountain lakes. Many species, or at all events, 
well-marked varieties of insects, and a few land and fresh- water 
molluscs, have at present been only found within the limits of 
our islands. 
Staircase. 
statue of 0^ 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 Mr. 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 9 th of June, 1885, when an 
address was delivered on behalf of the Memorial Committee, by 
the Chairman, Professor Huxley, P.E.S., to which His Eoyal 
Highness the Prince of Wales, as representing the Trustees, 
replied. 
Above the first landing the staircase divides into two flights, 
each leading to one of the corridors w^hich flank the west and 
east sides of the hall, and by which access is gained to the 
galleries of the first floor of the building. At the northern end 
of these corridors a staircase from each, raised on an arch which 
spans the hall, join to form a central flight leading to the second 
or uppermost floor. On the landing at the top of this flight 
statue of I>laced a marble statue by Chantry of Sir Joseph Ban&s 
Baaks. (b. 1743, d. 1820), the munificent patron of science and scientific 
men, who for forty-one years presided over the Eoyal Society, and 
was an active Trustee of the Museum. His splendid botanical 
