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BRITISH MUSEUM (NATURAL HISTORY)
BRITISH MUSEUM (NATURAL HISTORY)
CROMWELL ROAD, LONDON, S.W. GENERAL GUIDE WITH PLANS AND VIEWS OF THE BUILDING, AND FIFTY-EIGHT ILLUSTRATIONS. THIRTEENTH EDITION. London : PRINTED BY ORDER OF THE TRUSTEES OF THE BRITISH MUSEUM. 1913. [ All rights reserved. ] LONDON: PRINTED BY WILLIAM CLOWES AND SONS, LIMITED, DUKE STREET, STAMFORD STREET, S.E., AND GREAT WINDMILL STREET, W....
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PREFACE TO THE THIRTEENTH EDITION.
PREFACE TO THE THIRTEENTH EDITION.
This Guide is intended for the use of those visitors who wish merely to get a general idea of the arrangements and contents of the Natural History Museum. Special Guides have been published for the use of visitors who wish to make a closer study of the collections; a list of them is given on pages 116–18. L. FLETCHER, Director . British Museum (Natural History). April, 1913. Director L. Fletcher , M.A., Hon. Ph.D. (Berlin), F.R.S. Assistant Secretary C. E. Fagan , I.S.O. Assistant in Director’s
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ZOOLOGICAL DEPARTMENT.
ZOOLOGICAL DEPARTMENT.
Keeper S. F. Harmer , Sc.D., F.R.S. Assistant Keeper W. R. Ogilvie-Grant. Assistants G. A. Boulenger , F.R.S.; Oldfield Thomas , F.R.S.; F. J. Bell , M.A.; R. Kirkpatrick ; W. T. Calman , D.Sc.; C. T. Regan , M.A.; A. S. Hirst ; J. G. Dollman , B.A.; W. P. Pycraft ; G. C. Robson , B.A.; H. A. Baylis , B.A....
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ENTOMOLOGICAL DEPARTMENT.
ENTOMOLOGICAL DEPARTMENT.
Keeper C. J. Gahan , M.A. Assistants Sir G. F. Hampson , Bart.; E. E. Austen ; J. Hartley Durrant (Walsingham Collection); G. J. Arrow ; G. Meade-Waldo , B.A.; F. W. Edwards , B.A.; K. G. Blair , B.Sc.; N. D. Riley ; B. F. Cummings ....
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GEOLOGICAL DEPARTMENT.
GEOLOGICAL DEPARTMENT.
Keeper A. S. Woodward , LL.D., F.R.S. Assistant Keeper F. A. Bather , M.A., D.Sc., F.R.S. Assistants R. B. Newton ; C. W. Andrews , D.Sc., F.R.S.; G. C. Crick ; W. D. Lang , B.A.; W. N. Edwards , B.A....
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MINERAL DEPARTMENT.
MINERAL DEPARTMENT.
Keeper G. T. Prior , M.A., D.Sc., F.R.S. Assistants L. J. Spencer , M.A.; G. F. Herbert Smith , M.A., D.Sc.; W. Campbell Smith , M.A....
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BOTANICAL DEPARTMENT.
BOTANICAL DEPARTMENT.
Keeper A. B. Rendle , M.A., D.Sc., F.R.S. Assistants A. Gepp , M.A.; E. G. Baker ; H. F. Wernham , B.Sc.; J. Ramsbottom B.A.; A. J. Wilmott , B.A....
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HISTORICAL SKETCH.
HISTORICAL SKETCH.
Sir Hans Sloane, an eminent physician in London, was for sixteen years President of the Royal College of Physicians, and in 1727 succeeded Sir Isaac Newton in the Presidential Chair of the Royal Society. He was throughout his long life a diligent and miscellaneous collector, having, as stated in the Preamble of the Act of Incorporation of the Museum, “through the course of many years, with great labour and expense, gathered together whatever could be procured, either in our own or foreign countr
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GENERAL ARRANGEMENT.
GENERAL ARRANGEMENT.
Although the validity of the division of natural objects into inorganic and organic or living has been the subject of some discussion, and although the separation of the latter into vegetable and animal is less absolute than was once supposed, yet for practical purposes, Mineral , Vegetable , and Animal remain the three great divisions or “kingdoms” into which natural bodies are grouped, and this classification has formed the basis of the arrangement of the collections in the Museum. I. Inorgani
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The Central Hall.
The Central Hall.
One group, in a case near the entrance to the hall, on the right, shows the great variation to which a species may become subject under the influence of domestication, as illustrated by examples of the best-marked breeds of Pigeons, all derived by selection from the wild Rock-Dove ( Columba livia ), specimens of which are shown at the top of the case. In the corresponding case on the left are further illustrations of the same subject. A pair of red Jungle Fowl ( Gallus bankiva , or G. ferrugineu
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The North Hall.
The North Hall.
The North Hall, or that portion of the building situated to the northward of the principal staircase, is used for the exhibition of the more important breeds of Domesticated Animals, as well as of examples of Hybrids and other Abnormalities. A series of specimens illustrative of Economic Zoology is likewise temporarily placed here. The examples of Domesticated Mammals include Horses, Cattle, Sheep, Goats, Llamas, Dogs, Cats, and Rabbits. One of the main objects of this series is to show the lead
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Staircase and Corridors.
Staircase and Corridors.
On the first landing of the great staircase, facing the centre of the hall, is placed the seated marble statue of Charles Darwin (b. 1809, d. 1882), to whose labours the study of natural history owes so vast an impulse. The statue was executed by Sir J. E. Boehm, R.A., as part of the “Darwin Memorial” raised by public subscription. It was unveiled and placed under the care of the Trustees of the Museum on the 9th of June, 1885, when an address was delivered on behalf of the Memorial Committee by
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WEST WING.
WEST WING.
The whole of the west wing of the building is devoted to the collections of recent Zoology....
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(A) Ground Floor.
(A) Ground Floor.
The ground floor is entered from the west side (left hand) of the central hall, near the main entrance of the building. The long gallery, extending the entire length of the front of the wing as far as the west pavilion, is assigned to the exhibited collection of Birds, the study-series of the same group being kept in cabinets in a room behind. The wall-cases contain mounted specimens of all the principal genera, placed in systematic order, beginning with the Crows and Birds of Paradise on the le
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First Floor.
First Floor.
The upper floors of the wings of the Museum consist merely of single galleries extending along the whole front of the building; for the galleries which run backwards on the ground floor form only a single storey. British Museum (Natural History). First Floor. Second Floor. The Lower Mammal-Gallery is entered from the western corridor of the central hall. Together with the adjacent corridor, it contains the greater part of the exhibited series of recent Mammals, with the exception of the Cetacea,
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Second Floor.
Second Floor.
The portion open to the public of the gallery on this floor in the western wing of the building contains such of the Mammalian orders (apart from Proboscidea, Cetacea, and Sirenia) as are not shown in the lower gallery. In the first two wall-cases on the right on entering the gallery is displayed a series of Bats, some stuffed, and others in spirit. In the third wall-case are the Insect-eating Mammals (Insectivora), such as Shrew-mice, Moles, Hedgehogs, etc. Next come the Rodents, and then the L
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EAST WING. Ground Floor.
EAST WING. Ground Floor.
The ground floor of this wing consists, as on the other side of the building, of a gallery running west and east the whole length of the wing in front, of a smaller parallel gallery behind this, and leading from the latter a series of galleries running north and south. With the exception of a certain number of recent skeletons introduced for comparison, and some of the specimens of Elephants and Sirenians or Sea-Cows, the whole of this floor is occupied by the collection of the remains of animal
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First Floor.
First Floor.
The gallery on this floor, entered from the south end of the east corridor of the hall, contains the extensive Mineral collections, a fuller description of which will be found in special guides. 21 Entering the gallery the visitor will find, in the first window-case on the left-hand side, a series of specimens selected and labelled to serve as an introduction to the study of Minerals. Beginning with a definition of what is meant by a Mineral, it shows how essential characters were gradually reco
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Second Floor.
Second Floor.
The upper floor of the East wing is devoted to the Department of Botany. The Collections of this Department consist of two portions, the one open to the public and consisting of specimens suitable for exhibition, and mainly intended to illustrate the various groups of the Vegetable Kingdom and the broad facts on which the natural system of the classification of plants is based; the other set apart for the use of persons engaged in the detailed scientific study of plants. On the landing outside t
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MAMMALS.
MAMMALS.
Catalogue of Monkeys, Lemurs, and Fruit-eating Bats. 21 Woodcuts. By J. E. Gray. 1870, 8vo. 4 s. Catalogue of Chiroptera. By Knud Andersen. Vol. I. Megachiroptera. 85 Text-figures. 1912, 8vo. 2 l. 10 s. Catalogue of Carnivorous, Pachydermatous, and Edentate Mammalia. By J. E. Gray. 47 Woodcuts. 1869, 8vo. 6 s. 6 d. Catalogue of Seals and Whales. By J. E. Gray. Second Edition. 101 Woodcuts. 1866, 8vo. 8 s. Supplement. 11 Woodcuts. 1871, 8vo. 2 s. 6 d. Catalogue of Ruminant Mammalia ( Pecora , Lin
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BIRDS.
BIRDS.
Catalogue of the Birds in the British Museum:— Vol. VII. Passeriformes, or Perching Birds. Cichlomorphæ : Part IV. By R. Bowdler Sharpe. Woodcuts, and 15 Coloured Plates. 1883, 8vo. 1 l. 6 s. Vol. VIII. ——. Cichlomorphæ : Part V.; and Certhiomorphæ . By H. Gadow. Woodcuts, and 9 Coloured Plates. 1883, 8vo. 17 s. Vol. X. ——. Fringilliformes : Part I. By R. Bowdler Sharpe. Woodcuts, and 12 Coloured Plates. 1885, 8vo. 1 l. 2 s. Vol. XI. ——. Fringilliformes : Part II. By P. L. Sclater. Woodcuts, and
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REPTILES.
REPTILES.
Catalogue of the Chelonians, Rhynchocephalians, and Crocodiles. New Edition. By G. A. Boulenger. 73 Woodcuts and 6 Plates. 1889, 8vo. 15 s. Catalogue of the Lizards. Second Edition. By G. A. Boulenger. Plates. 3 Volumes. 1885–87, 8vo. Vol. I., II., 1 l. each. III., 1 l. 6 s. ( Vol. I. out of print. ) Catalogue of the Snakes. By G. A. Boulenger. Vol. I. 26 Woodcuts and 28 Plates. 1893, 8vo. 1 l. 1 s. Vol. II. 25 Woodcuts and 20 Plates. 1894, 8vo. 17 s. 6 d. Vol. III. 37 Woodcuts and 25 Plates. 18
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FISHES.
FISHES.
Catalogue of the Fishes. Second Edition. Vol. I. Catalogue of the Perciform Fishes. Containing the Centrarchidæ, Percidæ, and Serranidæ (part). By G. A. Boulenger. Woodcuts and 15 Plates. 1895, 8vo. 15 s. Catalogue of the Fresh-water Fishes of Africa. By G. A. Boulenger. Vol. I. 270 Text-figures. 1909, Imp. 8vo. 1 l. 12 s. 6 d. Vol. II. 382 Text-figures. 1911, Imp. 8vo. 2 l. 5 s....
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INSECTS.
INSECTS.
Illustrations of Typical Specimens of Coleoptera. Part I. Lycidæ. By C. O. Waterhouse. 18 Coloured Plates. 1879, 8vo. 16 s. List of Hymenoptera, with descriptions and figures of the Typical Specimens. By W. F. Kirby. Vol. I. Tenthredinidæ and Siricidæ. 16 Coloured Plates. 1882, 8vo. 1 l. 18 s. Catalogue of British Hymenoptera. By F. Smith. Second Edition. Part I. Andrenidæ and Apidæ. [New Issue.] 11 Plates. 1891, 8vo. 6 s. Catalogue of British Hymenoptera of the Family Chalcididæ. By C. Morley.
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SPIDERS.
SPIDERS.
Descriptive Catalogue of the Spiders of Burma, based upon the Collection made by E. W. Oates and preserved in the British Museum. By T. Thorell. 1895, 8vo. 10 s. 6 d....
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WORMS.
WORMS.
Catalogue of British Non-parasitical Worms. By G. Johnson, M.D., &c. Woodcuts and 24 Plates. 1865, 8vo. 7 s. Catalogue of Chætopoda. A. Polychæta: Pt. I. Arenicolidæ. By J. H. Ashworth, D.Sc. 15 Plates, 68 Text-figures. 1912, roy. 8vo. 1 l. 7 s. 6 d....
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ECHINODERMS.
ECHINODERMS.
Catalogue of British Echinoderms. By F. J. Bell. Woodcuts and 16 Plates. 1892, 8vo. 12 s. 6 d....
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CORALS.
CORALS.
Catalogue of the Madreporarian Corals:— Vol. I. The Genus Madrepora. By G. Brook. 35 Plates. 1893, 4to. 1 l. 4 s. Vol. II. The Genus Turbinaria; the Genus Astræopora. By H. M. Bernard. 33 Plates. 1896, 4to. 18 s. Vol. III. The Genus Montipora; the Genus Anacropora. By H. M. Bernard. 34 Plates. 1897, 4to. 1 l. 4 s. Vol. IV. The Family Poritidæ. I.—The Genus Goniopora. By H. M. Bernard. 16 Plates. 1903, 4to. 1 l. Vol. V. The Family Poritidæ. II.—The Genus Porites. Part I.—Porites of the Indo-Pacif
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PLANTS.
PLANTS.
Illustrations of Australian Plants collected in 1770 during Captain Cook’s Voyage Round the World in H.M.S. “Endeavour.” Being a series of lithographic reproductions of copper-plates, with descriptive text. By the Right Hon. Sir Joseph Banks, Bart., and Dr. D. Solander. With Introduction and Determinations by J. Britten:— Part I. 101 Plates. 1900, fol. 25 s. Part II. 142 Plates. 1901, fol. 35 s. Part III. 77 Plates and 3 Maps. 1905, fol. 25 s. Catalogue of the African Plants collected by Dr. Fri
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FOSSILS.
FOSSILS.
Catalogue of the Fossil Mammalia. By R. Lydekker. Parts I.-V. Woodcuts. 1885–87, 8vo. 4 s. to 6 s. a volume. Catalogue of the Fossil Birds. By R. Lydekker. Woodcuts. 1891, 8vo. 10 s. 6 d. Catalogue of the Fossil Reptilia and Amphibia. By R. Lydekker. Parts I.-IV. Woodcuts. 1888–90, 8vo. 7 s. 6 d. a volume. A descriptive Catalogue of the Marine Reptiles of the Oxford Clay, based on the Leeds Collection. By C. W. Andrews:— Part I. 94 Text-figures, 11 Plates. 1910, 4to. 1 l. 5 s. Part II. 73 Text-f
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Zoological Department.
Zoological Department.
Guide to the Specimens illustrating the Races of Mankind. 2nd Edition. 16 Illustrations. 1912, 8vo. 4 d. Guide to the Galleries of Mammals (other than Ungulates). 8th Edition. 52 Woodcuts and 4 Plans. 1906, 8vo. 6 d. Guide to Great Game Animals. 41 Woodcuts and 12 Plates. 1907, 8vo. 1 s. Guide to the Specimens of the Horse Family ( Equidæ ). 26 Illustrations. 1907, 8vo. 1 s. Guide to the Domesticated Animals (other than Horses). 2nd Edition. 25 Illustrations. 1912, 8vo. 6 d. Guide to the Whales,
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Geological Department.
Geological Department.
A Guide to the Fossil Mammals and Birds. 9th Edition. 6 Plates and 88 Text-figures. 1909, 8vo. 6 d. A Guide to the Fossil Reptiles, Amphibians, and Fishes. 9th Edition. 8 Plates and 116 Text-figures. 1910, 8vo. 9 d. A Guide to the Fossil Invertebrate Animals. 2nd Edition. 7 Plates and 96 Text-figures. 1911, 8vo. 1 s. Guide to the Elephants (Recent and Fossil). 31 Illustrations. 1908, 8vo. 6 d....
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Mineral Department.
Mineral Department.
A Guide to the Mineral Gallery. 11th Edition. With Plan. 1911, 8vo. 1 d. The Student’s Index to the Collection of Minerals. 24th Edition. Plan. 1911, 8vo. 2 d. An Introduction to the Study of Minerals, with a Guide to the Mineral Gallery. 13th Edition. 41 Woodcuts and Plan. 1910, 8vo. 6 d. An Introduction to the Study of Rocks and Guide to the Museum Collection. 4th Edition. With Plan. 1909, 8vo. 1 s. An Introduction to the Study of Meteorites, with a List of the Meteorites represented in the Co
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Botanical Department.
Botanical Department.
List of British Seed-plants and Ferns exhibited in the Department of Botany. 1913, 8vo. 4 d. Guide to Sowerby’s Models of British Fungi. By W. G. Smith. 3rd Edition. 91 Woodcuts. 1908, 8vo. 4 d. Guide 31 to Drawings of Field and Cultivated Mushrooms, and Poisonous or Worthless Fungi, often mistaken for Mushrooms. 2 Plates, containing 28 coloured figures; 4 Text-figures. 1910, 8vo. 1 s. Guide to the British Mycetozoa. By Arthur Lister. 3rd Edition. 46 Woodcuts. 1909, 8vo. 3 d. Books and Portraits
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Special Guides.
Special Guides.
No. 4.—Memorials of Darwin: a collection of Manuscripts, Portraits, Medals, Books, and Natural History Specimens to commemorate the Centenary of his Birth. 2nd Edition. 2 Plates. 1910, 8vo. 6 d. No. 5.—Exhibition of Animals, Plants, and Minerals mentioned in the Bible. 2nd Edition. 7 Text-figures. 1911, 8vo. 6 d....
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Hints for Collectors.
Hints for Collectors.
Handbook of Instructions for Collectors. With Illustrations. Third Edition. 1906, 8vo. 1 s. 6 d. Instructions for Collectors:— No. 1.—Mammals. 4th Edition. Text illustrated. 1912, 8vo. 3 d. No. 2.—Birds and their Eggs. 5th Edition. 6 Figures in text. 1912, 8vo. 3 d. No. 3.—Reptiles, Batrachians, and Fishes. 3rd Edition. 1903, 8vo. 4 d. No. 4.—Insects. 5th Edition. Text illust. 1911, 8vo. 3 d. No. 5.—Diptera (Two-winged Flies). 3rd Edition. Text illust. 1908, 8vo. 3 d. No. 6.—Mosquitoes ( Culicid
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Economic Series.
Economic Series.
No. 1.—The House-Fly as a danger to health. Its Life-history, and how to deal with it. By E. E. Austen. 2 Plates (4 figures), and 3 text-figures. 1913, 8vo. 1 d. The Guide-Books can be obtained only at the Natural History Museum. Postage extra. Written communications respecting them should be addressed to The Director . 1. The Exhibition Galleries are open free daily except on Good Friday, Christmas Day, and any Fast or Thanksgiving Day appointed by authority. (For hours of admission see back of
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Number of Visits to particular Departments for the purpose of Study.
Number of Visits to particular Departments for the purpose of Study.
L. FLETCHER, Director . LONDON: PRINTED BY WILLIAM CLOWES AND SONS, LIMITED, DUKE STREET, STAMFORD STREET, S.E., AND GREAT WINDMILL STREET, W....
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DAYS AND HOURS OF ADMISSION.
DAYS AND HOURS OF ADMISSION.
The Exhibition Galleries are open to the Public, free daily— on Week-Days , throughout the year from 10 A.M. , in (on Mondays and Saturdays , from the beginning of May to the middle of July, to 8 P.M. , and from the middle of July to the end of August, to 7 P.M. ); on Sundays , in The Museum is closed on Good Friday and Christmas Day. By Order of the Trustees, L. FLETCHER, Director . 1 The Trustees under the Act of Incorporation were the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Lord Chancellor, the Speake
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