6.
Also available are many standard
identification handbooks on British vascular
plants, fungi, seaweeds, lichens, most
insect groups, molluscs, spiders, marine
worms, crustaceans, birds, mammals, fish,
reptiles, amphibia and geology (particularly
of the Pleistocene). Please remember that
we are unable to lend books.
The reference collections are particu-
larly strong in Lepidoptera, Coleoptera,
birds, mammals, vascular plants and geological
specimens with smaller holdings of other
insects and invertebrates, mosses and liver-
worts etc. Extensive skeletal collections
covering mammals, birds, some reptiles and
a few fish are used for the identification
of bones from archaeological sites.
All these collections are available to
visitors by appointment as we have limited
space. Microscopes and other equipment are
available for use in the Museum.
We have over the years reared or looked
after a wide variety of British birds,
mammals and reptiles, from Swifts to Grebes,
Squirrels, Hedgehogs, Foxes, Mice, Shrews,
etc. and would be happy to pass on such in-
formation as we have to others interested
in this field or who may have problems of
their own. We also know a number of reliable
people who are prepared to take over the care
of animals with a view to their release back
to the wild.
Most of our biological material has come
from dead specimens brought in by interested
people, and we are pleased to receive even
common species, as well as the more unusual
finds, so that we can extend our collections.