2 
GROUND FLOOR. 
her hands a small figure of the Genius of the Thames* 
Presented by Lord Fred . Campbell. 
A gilt figure of Gaudma, a Burmese idol; and the sym¬ 
bolical representation of his foot. Both presented by Capt. 
Marry at, R.N. 
Against the pier between the iron Gates which lead to 
the great staircase, is a statue of the late Sir Joseph 
Banks, by Chantrey. It represents the great naturalist, 
not as he was in his latter days, feeble and lame, but 
hale and vigorous; he is seated in an arm-chair, holding 
a scroll in his left hand. The figure is raised upon a 
marble pedestal. Presented by the personal Friends , at 
whose expense the statue was made. 
On the other side of the pier, is a specimen of Hindoo 
sculpture, discovered in 1809, near the banks of the 
sacred river Nerbudda; a fragment, probably, of an 
ancient temple. Presented by D. D. Inglis, Esq. 
Before the window on the left, adjoining the messenger’s 
small room, is a fine Hippopotamus. Presented by the 
Trustees of the Hunterian Collection of the Royal College 
of Surgeons. 
The decorations of the great staircase were restored a 
few years ago by Rigaud. The paintings on the ceiling, 
representing Phaeton petitioning Apollo for leave to drive 
his chariot, are by Charles de la Fosse, who, in his time, 
was deemed one of the bestcolouristsof theFrench school, 
and of whom there are many valuable performances in 
France; among which are the paintings on the cupola of 
the dome of the invalids, which are ranked among the 
admiranda of Paris. The landscapes and architectural 
decorations are by James Rousseau, whose particular 
skill in perspective has at all times been held in high 
estimation. 
On the first landing place, is a Llama from South 
America, where it is used as a beast of burthen ; also 
presented by the Trustees of the Hunterian Museum. 
On the second landing-place are a Musk Ox, from 
Melville Island, and a Polar Bear ; procured in the late 
Arctic expeditions; and presented by the Lords of the 
Admiralty. 
Between these animals is placed the trunk of an arbo¬ 
rescent Fern ( Alsophila Brunoniana of Wallich) forty-five 
