23 
HALLS 35, 36, AND 59. ALCOVE 103. 
PALEONTOLOGY. 
In the Section of Paleontology it is sought to illustrate by fos- 
sils, casts, and models, the animal and vegetable forms which have 
characterized the life of the globe at the succeeding stages of its his- 
tory. The arrangement is primarily chronological, and secondarily 
zoological, and the order to be followed in a study of the collection 
is indicated by the numbering of the cases. Passing from left to 
right, as one would do in reading a book, the collection may not 
improperly be regarded as a book describing the history of the 
earth from the dawn of life to the present time, though the charac- 
ters in which it is written are rock specimens instead of printed 
letters. The series begins in Hall 35, at the left of the entrance 
from the West Court, passes along the west wall, the south wall of 
Halls 36 and 59, then to the other side of the same rooms, and back 
to the right of the entrance to Hall 35. The larger specimens in 
the center of the halls it was impracticable to place in chronologi- 
cal order, but the specimen labels show the period to which each 
belongs. All the specimen labels show: 1st, the name of the spe- 
cies, together with that of the authority by whom named; 2nd, the 
geological period or epoch to which each belongs; and 3rd, the 
locality. Wherever a cast is shown, the fact is indicated by the 
label, so that it may not be confounded with actual specimens. 
Under each period the specimens will be found arranged in 
accordance with their zoological rank, beginning with the lowest. 
Plants are placed first; then in order, Protozoans, Radiates, Mol- 
lusks, Articulates and Vertebrates. 
The visitor will find it interesting to note the characteristic 
forms of life of the different epochs, and the increase in number 
and variety of species as the earth’s history advanced. 
Alcove 103. — Two large blocks, one of limestone from 
Kelley’s Island, Ohio, the other of sandstone from North Amherst, 
Ohio. These illustrate glacial scoring and polishing. 
There are also shown sections of large specimens of Arietites , 
a mollusk allied to the modern Nautilus; tracks of reptiles of the 
Triassic period, on sandstone from Turner’s Falls, Mass.; fossil 
