THE MUSEUM.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LXI, Issue 7222, 23 April 1884, Page 6

THE MUSEUM.

During tho recent “ cleaning time at the Museum, the period when tho building is shut up to allow of tho various necessary alterations m the arrangements being made, several specimens of considerable interest havo been placed on view in the cases and enclosures of the different rooms. In the technological department, one of the most popular portions of the institution, are now to be seen verv complete collections from the mines of Aus’-ria, Cornwall, and Tasmania, so disposed and classified as to illustrate the various branches of tho industries earned ou underground in those countries. In a case on the right-hand side of the room are models showing tho method ot timbering adopted in the Cornwall mines, and aDc- that in use in the famous Comstock mine of North America. Tins rose contains, besides the above-mentioned, a model of an ingenious arrangement of sliding stous used in ascending and descending shafts. Of uo little interest, though in mile another way, are the specimens of tnrr.iui? and of bone-carving, the work of Mr Graham, of Lyttelton. These illustrate the manufaetuvo of a billiard ball and of a common bone spoon by means of specimens showing the articles in the various stages of construction. The collection of skeletons lets been increased by the addition of the “ frame ’ of .the curious gavial, or garial, of India, called sometimes the Gaugetic crocodile. There are also skeletons of the well-known dngeng of the Queeushuid coast, and of the South American manatee, two seals resembling one another considerably in their general characteristics. . Decidedly the most notable acquisition to the mammal room is a bactrian, or twohumped camel, a splendid specimen, admirably prepared and set up. A Japanese dcc-r, a graceful little animal, has also been placed in this room. It may be noted that large painted tin tickets are affixed to these exhibits, giving particulars as to name, habitat, and other information. A rearrangement has been made of the specimens in the central enclosure, so as to allow of its being somewhat reduced in size, in order to afford more room for visitors to pass around the room. The former passage was so narrow that on holidays or other occasions when there were more .persona than usual in the Museum, it was frequently blocked. The collections in other parts of tho institution have also been re-arranged, especially in the room devoted to antiquities, where each article will shortly be accompanied by a ticket giving its_ name, and that of the locality where it was discovered.