24 
ZOOLOGICAL COLLECTIONS. 
[UJTER 
fisb indigenous in Asia, and introduced into Europe; the Catla, the 
most esteemed jfish in Bengal ; the numerous group of Barbels, one 
of which is the large-scaled Muhaseer of India; the Pioach, Rudd, 
Chub, Tench, Bream, etc. One of the largest kinds of Herrings 
{Megalops), attaining to a weight of a hundred pounds, from the 
West Indies, is exhibited on the top of these cases. Case 22 contains 
the Eels, Congers and Muraenas, the latter being frequently ornamented 
with bright colours, like snakes. 
Wall Cases 23-26. The Pipe-fishes or Sea-needles and the Sea- 
horses (Syngnathus and Hippocainpus) : marine fishes of a singular 
shape, with a long tube-like snout, at the end of which is the small 
mouth, and with the body enclosed in hard, bony shields. The males 
carry the eggs and young ones in a pouch under the tail, or on the 
lower side of their body. The Globe-fishes (Diodon, Tetrodon), which 
are covered with spines, and defend themselves by inflating their body 
into a globe ; they are often found floating on the surface of the water ; 
the flesh of many is poisonous. The File-fishes (Balistes), and the 
Coffin-fishes (Ostracion), the body of which is enclosed in a hard, four- 
or five-sided case. The Sun-fishes {Orthagoriscus) , well known to all 
fishermen on the English and Irish coasts, who find them frequently 
floating asleep on the surface of the sea ; they attain to an enormous 
size, sometimes weighing 800 pounds or more, and are easily recog- 
nized by the singular shape of the body, which has the appearance as 
if the tail had been cut off ; they are not used as food. Finally, the 
Lampreys (Petromyzon), the mouth of which is transformed into a 
sucker ; by its means they attach themselves to stones, and also to 
other fish, feeding on their flesh. The Sea-Lamprey is the largest 
kind, generally living in the sea, but frequently ascending rivers for a 
considerable distance. The River-Lamprey is used as bait for the 
Cod and other sea-fishes, and forms a valuable source of income to the 
Thames fishermen. 
On the top of the Cases are some specimens of the larger Fish ; 
the Siidis gigas of Guiana, the largest fresh-water fish ; the Flying 
Sword-fish ; the pike of a Sword-fish forced through the oak timber of a 
ship, these fish swimming with great force ; a skeleton of a deep-sea 
fish from Madeira [Alepisaurus) and large Japanese Crab. 
Tables 1-12. Insects, such as the Coleoptera, or Beetles; the Leaf 
beetle, or Mormolyce of Java; the Scarabseus, held sacred by the 
Egyptians ; the large African Goliath Beetles ; the Fire-fly of the West 
Indies ; the Weevils, as the Diamond Beetle of Brazil ; the long- 
horned Beetles, such as the Harlequin Beetle; the Tortoise Beetles; 
the Lady-birds, so destructive to the plant-lice. Orthopterous Insects, 
such as the Praying Mantis, with their eggs ; the Walking Sticks and 
Leaf insects, resembling leaves and twigs of trees ; the Crickets. 
Neuropterous Insects, as Dragon-flies ; Ant-lions, the larvae of which 
form pits to catch insects ; the White Ants, so destructive in the tropics. 
Hymenopterous Insects, as the Ichneumons, Ants, Wasps, and Bees : 
the most interesting of all the orders on account of the curious habits 
and strange instincts and powers of its members. The Lepidopterous 
