62 
MINEKAL GALLEEY. 
galleries the British specimens are placed in the table-cases, 
and those of foreign origin in the cases round the walls. 
Historical T^e fifth gallery is set apart for the reception of certain 
special collections of historical interest, either from the circum- 
stances under which they were formed or came into possession 
of the Museum, or from their containing a large number of 
types described and figured in standard monographs. Hence 
it has been thought undesirable to break up and disperse 
these among the general collection. They include the original 
collection formed by William Smith, the pioneer of geology 
in this country, the Searles Wood Collection of Crag MoUusca, 
the Edwards Collection of Eocene MoUusca, the Davidson 
Collection of Brachiopoda, the types of Sowerby's "Mineral 
Conchology," and lastly, but not least in interest, the specimens 
from the collection of Sir Hans Sloane, which form the nucleus 
of the whole Museum. 
Stratigraphi- In the wall-cases on the west side of this gallery is exhibited 
of British ^ stratigraphical collection, showing the most characteristic 
PalaBontology. rock-specimens, often with their included organic remains, re- 
presenting the various geological formations of the British Isles, 
arranged in the order of their sequence in time, commencing 
near the entrance door with the most recent, and gradually 
passing down to the most ancient fossil-bearing strata. Along 
the top of the case is displayed a running section of all the 
sedimentary rocks of England in the order of their succession, 
each bed being distinctively coloured, and named to correspond 
with the actual specimens placed beneath. On the east side 
are exhibited additional specimens of marine reptiles from the 
Lias and a series of foot-prints of reptiles from the Trias of 
N. America and the New Eed Sandstone of England, &c. 
First Floor. 
Gallery of The gallery on this floor, entered from the south end of the 
Minerals. ^^^^^ corridor of the hall, contains the extensive Mineral Collec- 
tions, a fuller description of which will be found in the special 
guides.* 
* ' Guide to the Mineral Gallery.' Price one penny. * Introduction to the 
Study of Minerals, with a Guide to the Mineral Gallery.' Price sixpence. 
