GROUND FLOOR. 
3T 
Owing to want of space in this gallery, the nests of the 
Perching or Passerine birds are placed for the present in the 
west corridor of the Central Hall. 
Parallel with the bird gallery to the north side (right on enter- 
ing), and approached by several passages, is a long narrow gallery 
containing the collection of corals and of sponges and allied forms. Gallery. 
Commencing at the eastern end, some of the lowest forms of 
animal life are exhibited in the wall-case and table-cases ; they 
belong to a group called FoTctminifera, and, for the greater part, 
are so minute, that Ihey can be studied with the microscope 
only ; their structure is therefore illustrated by means of models 
and figures. The next divisions of the gallery are occupied by the 
sponges ; most conspicuous among them is a series showing the 
variations of the common bath-sponge (cases land 2), the beauti- 
ful siliceous Eu'plcctdla or Yenus' flower basket, and the Japanese 
Hyalonema or glass rope sponge (case 3), and the gigantic 
Bhaphiopliora or Neptune's goblet, of which several specimens 
are placed on separate stands. 
JTearly the whole of the remainder of the gallery is given up 
to the Corals, showing the immense variety of form and colour 
of these animals, some presenting a marvellous resemblance to 
vegetable growths. The part exhibited is merely the dried, 
hard, horny or calcareous basis or supporting skeleton either of 
isolated individuals, or of colonies of creatures allied to the well- 
known sea-anemones of our coasts. Opposite to cases 8 and 10, 
wliich contain the Madrepore Corals, is placed a large fragment 
of a reef, entirely formed by a small kind of Madrepore. These 
reefs when raised above the surface of the water constitute the 
base of thousands of islands in the Indo-Pacific Ocean. Of the 
numerous other forms, only the precious coral (CoraUmm), usually 
of a bright red colour, found in the Mediterranean and so largely 
used for ornamental purposes, and the crimson Organ-pipe Coral 
(Tuhipora) in case 13, can be mentioned here. 
Two table-cases at the western end of the gallery contain the 
PoLYZOA, a group of small animals which, like corals, are supported 
by a calcareous or horny plant-like growth, but in their internal 
structure are more nearly related to the Mollusca, a class 
exhibited in the adjoining gallery. 
Approached through tlie Coral Gallery, and running backwards 
