, 1877-12-23

time is not far distant when, with the %
Of rapid transit, it will be as easily reaceu 80 ~,
Twenty-thrd street now is by the o1olnnl'
horsc-car or stage- .ta
On the first floor, through the centre OF the
hall, the visitor first sees the magnthceEe 10y
collection Of shells, presented to the nluscutt4
by Mrs. Wolfe, Of New York, whose father "as !ss
the first President OF this corporation on LUG
east side OF the hall are several 1afge saSe ,c
the first containing specimens Of building slo!cs
from Japan, which were exhibited at tne w.
tcnnial. Adjoining this is a case OF japan
woods, also at the Centennial, while oI o,''.
woods are specimens from Bermuda, iaf4e a'lu
valuable lot from Jamaica, together Win sotlG
from our own country. The rest OF tue hail
contains asupcrb collection OF mammals, a1ilol!s
them being the choicest specimens that "cre III
the Arsenal. -,
The second story or principal exhibition nal
has OIL its side ease showing! all the aluelcnI
1orms Of known birds, from the nightingale
down through the marine specimens 70 the
penguin. Then there urc I series Of cases con-
tanning the Elliot collection OF birds, "hlch
include all but six or eight Of the known spe-
cics Of North America. The superb Paris col
lection Of South American birds next demands
attention. This was purchased Of 'crcaux, anu
is OF great value. a group Of trogQns, Ill thell
bronze and gold plumagc, will not fail to attract
the visitor. The west side of the hall CONTAINS
tue birds Uf Europe and Asia.
The gallery floor has among its collections
stone implements Of the Pacific islands Ahu
masks worn years ago By the savagcs during
their religious rites. Thcn tnerc can be seen
series OF eases containing pottery from Soutn
and Central America and Peru. 1t is the ia
nous Squicrs collection. Skulls Of various
races, including the great series owned BY the
late Henry N1cigss, Of Peru, also deserve
notice, as do the skeletons Of birds, rcptllesan
mammals. The birds OF Australia, incluanS
bright cploretl phcasants and doves, and Il bird
OF paradise form j rare spectacle. On either
side Of tile door are the Chinook n,umincs from
the mouth OF the Columbia River. and the
mummics found in Alaska. In the railing cases
1nents belonging to- the uborgnes OF
the north OF France. With tho
exception OF Il collection in Able
Vile, France, this lot is the finest in lie
world. 4 small collection from the Swiss Ia es
ami trom Denmark are worthy OF inspection.
States, aud the famous Col. Charles G. Jones,
Jr:s collection OF Indian implements can bc
seen.
The upper story of the building is filed with
the geological collection OF lroi: James HAL, OF
Albany, n. Y. 1t contains 1000 figured speci-
mems and types,-that is, those which have ap-
pearcd i'll standard works.
The attic Vi the building is divided into a
series OF rooms, which are well lighted. heated
aud ventilated, and contains apartments fort
coulnodatians which scientific mem require
when ut work. 1t contains the Jay library on
conchooey. presented by Mrs. Wolfe, aud 1t will
soon receive another library. which is ln tram
stu. These rooms are for the free use oil ge-
ological surveys, who must frequent the mu-
scum to compare specimens. Among those who
will do so are the Director OF Survey Of the Do
mnion Of Canada, Prof. Hitchcock Ut New
Hampshire, the Pennsylvania Survey, the New
York Survey, and the National Survey OF the
Forfeit, Parallel under Clarence King.
The public opening Of the Museum will take
place OH Saturday, the 22d lust, ut lanpast 2
O'Clock Q. II. The exercises, which take place
on the second floor, will consist of addresses by
Mr. Robert L. Stuart, Of the corporation; the
President OF the Department OF Parks, President
of Harvard University, President of tile Amer
lean Association for the Advancement OF Sci
ence Mayor Ely, aud his EXcelleucy the Prcsi-
dent 0i the Cuted States.