HISTORICAL COLLECTIONS, 
11 
borough, Chillesford, Sudbourn, Orford, Ikitley, Sutton, Gallery XI. 
Eamsholt, Felixstowe, and many otlier localities in Suffolk, Tabl^-cases 
also from Waltou-on-the-FTaze in Essex. The collection was 
presented by Mr. Wood to the British Museum in 1852, and 
a supplementary collection was given by Mrs. S. V. Wood, 
juu., in 1885. 
Before leaving these collections, the visitor may again be 
reminded that their importance lies in the fact that they 
contain the specimens described in certain classical memoirs, 
and form therefore the ultimate evidence for the truth of 
these works. This is particularly the case when a student 
wishes to make certain of the actual form which was in the 
mind of the original author wlien he was describing a new 
species. Owing to the subsequent discovery of many closely 
related and intermediate forms, it is usually impossible for 
a species founded by the older writers to be recognised from 
their descriptions and figures alone. The specimens them- 
selves must be seen. Consequently these original or type- 
specimens, as tliey are called, are of the highest importance in 
scientific study. A very large number of type-specimens in 
the various groups of fossils are preserved, and most of them 
exhibited, in the general collection of the Department, where 
they may be readily found in their proper zoological and 
geological positions. The similar specimens in this gallery 
have been kept apart, either owing to the historical interest 
of tlie original collections, or in deference to the wishes of 
their former owners. 
For more complete information concerning the numerous 
collections of fossils that have found their way into the 
British Museum, reference should be made to “ Tlie History 
of the Collections contained in the Natural History Depart- 
ments of the British jMuseum,” vol. i, 1904. 
