46 
WEST WING. 
Mollusca which, like the Cockle and Oyster, are protected by a 
shell formed by two pieces or valves, are arranged in cases 
17-26. The most generally known of this division are the 
Venus-shells (case 17) ; the Cockles (case 19) ; the Giant Clam, 
sometimes weighing as much as 500 lbs. each (case 20) ; the 
Piddocks and Teredos, borers in wood and stone (case 19) ; 
the Eazor-shells (case 20); the Pinnas (case 24) ; Scallops 
and Thorny Oysters (case 25) ; and the True Oysters (case 25). 
A fine series of very large shells and some interesting 
Cephalopods in spirit occupy four upright cases at the ends of the 
room; and near the entrance to the gallery are placed some 
small table-cases, containing series of the eggs of Mollusca and 
of their opercula or lids 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. 
A special guide-book to the Shell and Star-fish galleries is 
published for the use of visitors, and guides to the remaining 
galleries are in preparation. 
Gallery of Cetacea. 
Cetacea or Approached by a staircase, leading from the last (or western- 
GaiSry ^ost) 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 shall 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 impracticable to preserve the skins of the larger 
species of whales, owing to the quantity of oil with which they 
are saturated, the exhibition of the characters of these animals is 
