ROOM X.] NATURAL HISTORY. 27 
of the Pearl Oyster* from the Island of St. Christopher* 
with some large pearls imbedded in their bodies* deserve 
particular attention. On the lower shelves are the tuni- 
cated animals* as the genera Biphora, Ascidia, &c. 
In Case 13 are Radiated animals preserved in spirits, 
as Sea Wigs ( Comatula ), Sea Stars* or Star Fish ( Aste - 
rias ), and Medusa’s Head ( Alecto )* with their finely 
divided arms, with which they filter the water* to separate 
the small mollusca on which they feed. The Lizard-tailed 
Star Fish ( Ophiura )* which attach themselves to coral 
by their flexible arms ; the Sea Eggs ( Echinus )* and 
Sea Hearts ( Spatangus ), the Sea Lemons* Sea Cucum¬ 
bers ( Holothuria )* some of which are much sought after 
by the Chinese* as delicacies ; and lastly* the genus Si- 
phunculus. 
Case 14 contains the soft radiated animals* as Medusae, 
Physaliee, Velellse* and Actiniae* and the animals of va¬ 
rious kinds of Sea Pens* Corals, and Corallines* and also 
some Coralloid plants* preserved in spirits. 
Cases 15 and 16* between the windows, contain some 
preserved Saurian and Ophidian Reptiles and Amphibia ; 
as several species of Monitors; the Guana, used as food 
in the West Indies; the Frilled Lizard (Chlamydosaurus), 
from New Holland, which has a large ruff on each side of 
its neck, just before the shoulders ; the Sea Snakes* with 
flat lanceolate tails, and several specimens of the Cobra 
Capella, one of the most venomous of the serpent tribe. 
Over this Case is a large Indian Tortoise. 
The Table Cases in the centre of the Room contain a 
series of specimens of stuffed Snakes and Lizards. 
TENTH ROOM. 
The upright Cases round the room contain the collection 
of Reptiles in spirits. 
Reptiles are known from the rest of the vertebrated 
animals by being covered with scales, respiring by means of 
lungs* and having an imperfect circulation and cold blood, 
which causes them to be cold to the touch. They increase 
by eggs* but sometimes the eggs are hatched in the bodies 
of the mother, and the young* when they are first born* 
are like their parents. They are divided into the Scaly 
