STAIRCASE. 
33 
the windows) are devoted to the Invertebrata. The wall-case 
on the west (left) side contains the larger specimens of MoUusca, 
Tunicata, i^nnelida, Echinodermata, and Ccelentrata in spirit, 
including some remarkably fine specimens of an Alcyonarian 
called Funiculina qitadrangidaris, one of which has a long- armed 
star-fish (Astronyx loveni) twined around it. These were dredged 
up in the Firth of Lorn, west coast of Scotland. The wall-case 
on the east (right) side contains a series of nests of hornets, 
wasps, bees, ants, &c. In the intermediate table-cases are 
arranged the collection of dried specimens of British Mollusca, 
Insects, Crustaceans, Polyzoa, Sponges, &c. 
Two cabinets placed against pillars facing the centre of the 
room are devoted to a special collection of British Butterflies 
and Moths {Lepidoptera) with their larvae, which were all 
prepared by Lord Walsingham, and presented to the Museum 
by him in 1887. The caterpillars are mounted upon models 
of the plants upon which they feed, and are remarkable for 
the life-like appearance they present. 
Staircase. 
On the first landing of the great staircase, facing the centre of statue of 
the haU, 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 Sir J. 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 9th 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 which 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 southern end 
of these corridors a staircase from eacli, raised on an arch which 
spans the hall, join to form a central flight leading to the second 
D 
