13 
THE SALOON. 
The dome of this apartment, painted by the 
above-mentioned La Fosse, represents the birth of 
Minerva. The landscapes and architectural deco¬ 
rations are by the same J. Rousseau who painted 
in the staircase; and the garlands of flowers are by 
John Baptist Monoyer, the most eminent flower 
painter of his time. Over the chimney is a full 
length portrait of King George II.,by Shackleton. 
This apartment contains the principal collec¬ 
tion of Minerals of the Museum, systematically 
arranged, the more characteristic specimens 
being exhibited in the table-cases, and the re¬ 
mainder in the drawers underneath. In the ar¬ 
rangement of this collection a natural order 
founded on external characters has been follow¬ 
ed : not, however, without consulting the che¬ 
mical composition of the substances, so far as 
convenience would admit. Each of the glazed 
table-cases has its number inscribed on the upper 
part of the middle square of glass. 
(Case 1.) contains the combustible substances, 
among which may be particularized the different 
varieties of bitumen, from the fluid naphtha , to the 
solid jet (pitch coal of Werner) and the mineral 
caoutchouc from Derbyshire. (See British Collec¬ 
tion ; Derbyshire.) Y/ith these is placed an in¬ 
flammable 
SALOON. 
