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THE ESSEX FIELD CLUB.
scientific Museums. In his remarks Sir William singled out for detailed description
and demonstration a few typical collections, such as the case illustrating the
varieties of the Domestic Pigeon ; the case showing the variation of plumage, etc.
in the two sexes in Birds, instancing the male Ruff (Machetes pugnax) and the
female, the Reeve, belonging to the Snipe family. He also referred, among many
other topics, to the examples of Protective Resemblance and Mimicry, and to the
phenomena of Melanism and Albinoism, and to the case containing the two forms
of Crows, which apparently are quite distinct, and which, judged by their external
characters, might be held to be different species, but which may interbreed and
produce offspring of a perfectly intermediate character ; or which, as some
naturalists believe, are examples of Dimorphism or the occurrence of a single species
in nature under two different forms.
The Director then drew attention to the many beautiful collections contained in
the bays or alcoves round the Great Hall, in which are contained the Introductory
or Elementary Morphological Collections, designed to teach, by the exhibition
of carefully prepared examples, dissections and drawings, the most important
points in the structure of the principal types of animal and plant life, and the
terms and characters used by naturalists in describing families, genera and species,
and distinguishing one form from another. He particularly referred to the very
striking case containing the "Horse and his Rider," being skeletons of a man and
horse so arranged that they could be compared, and the position of the bones
noted in relation to the external surface. Sir William also called attention
to the case illustrating the morphology of the Amphibia, as one of the most
beautiful and perfect examples of Museum exposition within his knowledge,
extending as the latter did to all the principal museums in Europe. Other
collections were referred to, and the immense time and patience necessary to carry
out such work was hinted at.
At the conclusion of his valuable and most suggestive address, Sir William
Flower accompanied the party on a tour of inspection of the cases in the Great Hall,
and gave some most instructive demonstrations on the spot. The members
present expressed their hearty thanks for his kindness and willingness to impart
information. One case, which we understand is the exclusive work of Sir William
himself, attracted great notice. It contains a series of Birds' Eggs, arranged so as
to show the variation of form, surface, colour, etc., etc., of the different species, and
it is a most wonderful example of skill and knowledge in teaching important
biological facts by means of comparatively familiar objects.
The party also inspected the series of specimens in the British Saloon. Some
most interesting additions have recently been made, notably Lord Walsingham's
magnificent collection of British Lepidoptera, exhibiting the caterpillars of most of
the species ; also the late Mr. Buckler's collection of Lepidoptera, and the fine
series of British Birds' Eggs contained in two large cabinets. The collections in
this room show a marked improvement in mode of display and arrangement, and
should now be of the greatest value to young students of out-door natural history
in identifying specimens, etc., and gaining a correct idea of the species inhabiting
our country.
During the afternoon, Dr. Henry Woodward, F.R.S., the keeper of the
Geological Department, very kindly conducted part of the company to the
geological galleries, for the purpose of demonstrating and explaining the cast of
the complete skeleton of a gigantic Iguanodon, which is now one of the greatest
ornaments in the Fossil Reptilian Gallery.