32 
WEST WING. 
III. A large gallery containing the collection of stuffed speci- 
mens and skeletons of Eeptiles, including crocodiles, lizards, 
snakes and tortoises. As in the case with the fishes, a large 
number of the animals of this class are necessarily preserved in 
spirit, and therefore not suitable subjects for exhibition. The 
gallery contains examples of all the forms of general interest, for 
an account of which the visitor is referred to the special guide.* 
IV. A small gallery containing the series of Echinodermata 
(sea urchins, star-fishes, Crinoids, &c.) and worms. 
Y. A large gallery devoted to the extensive division of 
MoLLUSCA, or soft-bodied Invertebrata, the exhibition of which 
it is however mainly restricted to their shells. In some cases 
the form of the animal itself is shown either by preparations in 
spirit or by means of models. I^ear the entrance to the gallery 
are placed some small table-cases, containing series of the eggs 
of MoUusca and of their opercula or lid by means of which the 
opening or mouth of the shell is closed in some forms; also 
specimens illustrating the formation of pearls, and other special 
points of interest connected with the group. 
Special guide-books to all these galleries are in preparation. 
Gallery of Cetacea. 
jtacea or Approached by a staircase, leading from the last (or western- 
^g^^ most) of the passages which connect the bird gallery with the 
coral gallery, is a room in the basement, in which the specimens 
of whale-like animals, for which, on account of their large size, 
no other place could be found in the portion of the Museum 
galleries already completed, are placed. The room has, un- 
fortunately, the disadvantage of being not well lighted, and 
of being intersected by massive columns, which interfere with 
the complete view of any of the larger skeletons ; nevertheless 
the specimens will be safely preserved in it, until the erection 
of the west front will afford them better accommodation, and 
visitors can, in the meantime with very little difficulty study 
most of the important peculiarities of these gigantic and very 
interesting members of the Animal Kingdom. 
As it is almost impractible to preserve the skins of the larger 
* * Guide to the Gallery of Eeptiles.' Price twopence. 
