BRITISH ZOOLOGY. 
37 
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. The cases beneath 
the windows of the north wall are entirely devoted to the 
exhibition of British Echinoderms, star-fishes, sea-urchins, &c. 
Forms of which the characters are difficult to preserve are 
shown by drawings from the living animals placed on the 
walls. 
Two cabinets placed against pillars facing the centre of the Britisli 
room are devoted to a special collection of British Butterflies ^nd^Moths 
and Moths (^Lepidoptera) with their larvse, which were all 
prepared by Lord Walsingham, and presented to the Museum 
by him in 1887. The caterpillars are mounted on models 
of the plants upon which they feed, and are remarkable for 
the life-like appearance they present. 
A nearly complete series of British Birds' eggs is now Cabinets, 
exhibited in two large cabinets. In these will be seen speci- 
mens illustrating the principal variations in the eggs of both 
resident species and occasional visitors. Especial attention is 
directed to the series of Cuckoos' eggs, with the accompanying 
clutches of the eggs of the foster-parents. 
Staircase. 
On the first landing of the great staircase, facing the centre of statue oi 
the hall, is placed the seated marble statue of Charles Darwix 
(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.R.S., to which His Eoyal 
Highness the Prince of Wales, as representing the Trustees, 
replied. 
Above the first landinoj the staircase divides into two flidits 
