able to crush the hardest shells with its flat, pavement-like teeth on the sides of the jaws; the Herring-kings (Trachypterus, Regalecus), long, band-like fishes, with a silvery, scaleless body, and red fins; specimens have been found some twenty feet in length, and were mistaken for "sea-serpents;" they inhabit the greatest depths of the oceans, and when, by some accident, they come to the surface of the water, their muscles have lost all power, and they float, unable to escape. Case 12 contains the Surgeon-fishes (Acanthurus) of the West Indies and other parts of the Tropics, armed with one or several lancetlike spines on the side of the tail; the grey Mullets (Mugil); and a gigantic example of the Pipe-fish (Fistularia).

Wall Cases 13-14 contain the ROCK-FISH or WRASSES, which also have numerous spines in the fin of the back, but are provided with thick lips, and with a triangular plate of teeth in the gullet. Those living in the sea are distinguished by their vivid changeable colours; some of them are called Parrot-fishes (Scarus, Pseudoscarus), from their bony jaws, which resemble a parrot's beak, and with which they break off corals, on which they feed. Also an example of the interesting viviparous fishes of California (Ditrema) is exhibited, showing the perfectly formed young ones in the interior of the old fish. The fresh water species of this division are found only in Africa and South America, the most celebrated being the Bolti of the Nile (Chromis). Wall Cases 14-15 contain the COD and FLAT-FISH Tribes.

Wall Cases 16-22 contain the SOFT-RAYED Fishes, that is, those which have no, or only one, strong spine in the fin of the back, or which lack the back fin altogether. The majority live in fresh water, but some tribes are sea-fishes. Cases 16-17 the Cat-fish Tribe, generally armed with strong spikes in the fins on the breast and back, provided with long barbels at the mouth, and without scales, but sometimes with large bony bucklers. Of the numerous various kinds of this tribe, the following are the most remarkable: the European Cat-fish (Silurus glanis), the largest fresh-water fish of Europe; the Bayad (Bagrus bayad), one of the largest fishes of the Nile; the Electric Cat-fish, which defends itself by electric shocks, and is found in the rivers of Tropical Africa. Case 18: the Salmonoids and Characines, the latter most valuable fresh-water fishes from South America and Africa. Cases 19-21 contain the Pikes and some tribes allied to them, as the Gar-Pike (Belone), and Flying-fishes (Exocoetus); the Carp and Herring Tribes, exemplified by the common Carp, a fish indigenous in Asia, and introduced into Europe; the Catla, the most esteemed fish in Bengal; the numerous group of Barbels, one of which is the large-scaled Mahaseer of India; the Roach, Rudd, Chub, Tench, Bream, etc. One of the largest kinds of Herrings (Megalops), attaining to a weight of a hundred pounds, from the West Indies, is exhibited on the top of these cases. Case 22 contains the Eels, Congers and Murænas, the latter being frequently ornamented with bright colours, like snakes.

Wall Cases 23-26. The PIPE-FISHES or Sea-needles and the Seahorses (Syngnathus and Hippocampus): marine fishes of a singular

shape, with long tube-like snout, at the end of which is the small mouth, and with the body enclosed in hard, bony shields. The males carry the eggs and young ones in a pouch under the tail, or on the lower side of their body. The Globe-fishes (Diodon, Tetrodon), which are covered with spines, and defend themselves by inflating their body into a globe; they are often found floating on the surface of the water; the flesh of many is poisonous. The File-fishes (Balistes), and the Coffin-fishes (Ostracion), the body of which is enclosed in a hard, fouror five-sided case. The Sun-fishes (Orthagoriscus), well known to all fishermen on the English and Irish coasts, who find them frequently floating asleep on the surface of the sea; they attain to an enormous size, sometimes weighing 800 pounds or more, and are easily recognized by the singular shape of the body, which has the appearance as if the tail had been cut off; they are not used as food. Finally, the Lampreys (Petromyzon), the mouth of which is transformed into a sucker; by its means they attach themselves to stones, and also to other fish, feeding on their flesh. The Sea-Lamprey is the largest kind, generally living in the sea, but frequently ascending rivers for a considerable distance. The River-Lamprey is used as bait for the Cod and other sea-fishes, and forms a valuable source of income to the Thames fishermen.

On the top of the Cases are some specimens of the larger Fish; the Sudis gigas of Guiana, the largest fresh-water fish; the Flying Sword-fish; the pike of a Sword-fish forced through the oak timber of a ship, these fish swimming with great force; a skeleton of a deep-sea fish from Madeira (Alepisaurus) and large Japanese Crab.

Tables 1-12. Insects, such as the Coleoptera, or Beetles; the Leaf beetle, or Mormolyce of Java; the Scarabæus, held sacred by the Egyptians; the large African Goliath Beetles; the Fire-fly of the West Indies; the Weevils, as the Diamond Beetle of Brazil; the longhorned Beetles, such as the Harlequin Beetle; the Tortoise Beetles; the Lady-birds, so destructive to the plant-lice. Orthopterous Insects, such as the Praying Mantis, with their eggs; the Walking Sticks and Leaf insects, resembling leaves and twigs of trees; the Crickets. Neuropterous Insects, as Dragon-flies; Ant-lions, the larvae of which form pits to catch insects; the White Ants, so destructive in the tropics. Hymenopterous Insects, as the Ichneumons, Ants, Wasps, and Bees: the most interesting of all the orders on account of the curious habits and strange instincts and powers of its members. The Lepidopterous Insects, such as the Butterflies, Hawkmoths, and Moths. The Hemiptera and Homoptera, with their strange forms. The Diptera, such as the Gnat and the Breeze. The Tsetse of Tropical Africa, a fly which destroys horses and domestic cattle.

Tables 11, 12. The Spiders, as the Mygale, or Bird-catching Spider; the Trap-door-Spiders, which dig holes in clayey banks, and close them by a door hanging with a hinge; the Scorpions; the Ticks, one of which is parasitic on the Rhinoceros. The Centipedes and Millipedes, sc called from the great number of their feet.

Tables 13-24. Crustacea, such as the Land Crabs of the West Indies; the Hermit Crabs, which live in shells; the Robber Crab or Tree Lobster, which climbs the cocoa-nut trees to get at the nuts; the Lobsters and Cray-fish; the Glass Crabs found in the tropical parts of the ocean; the King Crabs of America and the Chinese seas.

FIFTH ROOM.

The WALL CASES contain the Ganoid and Cartilaginous Fishes, viz.: the Sturgeons of Europe and America, the Polypterus of Tropical Africa, and the Bony Pikes (Lepidosteus) of the North American Freshwaters, covered with scales, hard and polished as ivory; the African Mudfish (Lepidosiren), with four long threadlike limbs; in summer, before the water is dried up, it buries itself in the mud and forms a case in which it lies torpid until the rainy season begins; the Barramunda (Ceratodus), a fish hitherto known from fossil teeth only, but recently discovered living in Queensland; the Cartilaginous Fish, such as the Sharks and Rays; the Torpedo or Numb-fish, which defend themselves by means of an electric apparatus on each side of the head; the Sturgeons of the Russian and American rivers; the long and flat-snouted Polyodon of the Mississippi. On the top of the Cases are the saws of various Saw-fish, and specimens of the larger Cartilaginous fish, also some of the larger Sponges, such as Neptune's Cup. In the Table Cas are exhibited various kinds of Sponges which belong to an extensive class of mostly microscopic beings.

ALBERT GÜNTHER.

First Compartment. Beginning on the left from the Mammalia Saloon.

1. KING GEORGE II., whole length, by John Shackleton. Painted

for the Trustees.

2. KING JAMES I. On panel. Presented by Dr. A. Gifford.

3. KING HENRY VIII.

1758.

4. OLIVER CROMWELL.

On panel. Presented by Dr. A. Gifford, in

"A copy from Mr. Cromwell's original,

grandson to Hen. Cromwell, L'. L'. of Ireland. 1725." This Portrait came with the Cottonian Library.

5. ELIZABETH PRINCESS PALATINE, granddaughter

of James I., by Michael Mierevelt.

6. KING EDWARD III. On panel.

Presented by

Dr. A. Gifford.

7. RT. HON. ARTHUR ONSLOW. Speaker of the House of Commons, wh. 1. Presented by Admiral Onslow.

8. ELIZABETH QUEEN OF BOHEMIA, daughter of Presented by James I., by Michael Mierevelt.

9. KING HENRY VI. On panel.

Dr. A. Gifford.

10. OLIVER CROMWELL, by Walker. Bequeathed, 1784, by Sir Robert Rich, Bart., to whose great-grandfather, Nathaniel Rich, Esq., then serving as a Colonel of Horse in the Parliament Army, it was presented by Cromwell himself.

11. KING JAMES I. Presented by Mr. Cook. 12. MARY QUEEN OF SCOTS, "æt. 42."

Lieut.-Gen. Thornton.

13. KING WILLIAM III.

On panel.

Presented by

Presented by Dr. A. Gifford.

14. WILLIAM DUKE OF CUMBERLAND, by Morier. Presented by Lieut.·

Gen. Thornton.

15. JAMES DUKE OF MONMOUTH. Presented by Dr. A. Gifford. 16. KING RICHARD II. Presented, in 1766, by John Goodman, Esq., of the Middle Temple.

17. QUEEN ELIZABETH, by Federigo Zucchero.

Earl of Macclesfield, 1760.

18. MARY QUEEN OF SCOTS.

66

Presented by the

19. QUEEN ELIZABETH. "Annо Dлi 1567." On panel. Presented

by Lord Cardross, 1765.

20. MARGARET COUNTESS OF RICHMOND. Presented by Dr. A. Gifford.

21. KING CHARLES II., by Sir P. Lely. Presented by Dr. A. Gifford. 22. KING HENRY V. On panel. Presented by Dr. A. Gifford

23. KING EDWARD VI. Presented, in 1768, by Mrs. Mary Mac

morran.

24. CAROLINE, QUEEN OF GEORGE II., by Jarvis. Presented by Lieut.Gen. Thornton.

25. KING GEORGE I. From the old Cottonian Library.

29. HUMPHREY WANLEY, Librarian to the Earl of Oxford. Presented by Herbert Westfaling, Esq.

30. SIR ISAAC NEWTON, by Van der Banck. Bequeathed by John Hassell, Esq., Clerk of the House of Commons.

1821.

31. SIR HANS SLOANE, as "President of the Royal Society." Half length. "Step". Slaughter pinx. 1736."

32. SIR HANS SLOANE, whole length, seated.

33. DR. JOHN WARD, of Gresham College. Presented by T. Hollis, Esq.

34. CLAUDIUS JAMES RICH, Esq., born 1787, died at Shiraz, 1821. Resident of the English East India Company at Bagdad from 1808 to 1821, whose Collection of MSS., Medals, and Antiquities is placed in the British Museum. Presented by his Widow.

35. ABRAHAM REES, D.D., F.R.S., by J. Lonsdale.

Joseph Parkes, Esq.

Presented by

36. MAJOR-GENERAL HARDWICKE, by W. Hawkins. Presented by Dr.

J. E. Gray.

37. SIR HANS SLOANE, by Murray.

38. DR. FRANCIS TURNER, BISHOP OF ELY.

39. ROBERT EARL OF OXFORD, by Sir G. Kneller. Presented, in 1768, by the Duchess Dowager of Portland.

40. SIR ROBERT COTTON. Presented, in 1792, by Paul Methuen, Esq., of Corsham.

41. SIR JOHN COTTON. From the Old Cottonian Library.

42. SIR THOMAS COTTON. Presented by his descendant, Mrs. H. M. Bowdler, 1826.

43. SIR ROBERT COTTON, A.D. 1629. From the Cottonian Library. 44. EDWARD EARL OF OXFORD, by Dahl. Presented, in 1768, by his daughter, the Duchess Dowager of Portland.

45. HUMPHREY WANLEY. Presented by the Earl of Leicester, in 1795, afterwards Marquess of Townshend and Earl of Leicester. "Humfredus Wanley Coventriensis, 1717.”

46. REV. DR. THOMAS BIRCH.