THE NEW MUSEUM.

Otago Witness, Issue 1342, 18 August 1877, Page 7

THE NEW MUSEUM.

The museum in Great King street was opened to the public for the first time on the 11th, and was also open on Sunday afternoon. Recently we visited the Institution, and though we have from time to time seen matters in a transition state, and knew to some extent what kind of display the collection would make, we could not but feel agreeably surprised yesterday at the internal appearance of the building, thenumerousness of the exhibits, and, apart from the scientific classification, the taste and judgment exhibited in classifying them. Professor Hutton has reason tc feel proud of what has been thus far accomplished, and now that the Institution has been suitably housed, it is to be .hoped that an additional impetus will be given to the spirit which prompts the presentation of whatever may advance the cause of science. Donors in every part of the world may now rest assured that whatever they present to the Otugo Museum will be shown to tha best possible advantage, instead ot, as erst while was the oase with many valuable gifts, being stowed away in packing cases. Justice cannot be done in the limits of a newspaper article to the museum in its new habitation, but a few of the more prominent features of the collection may ba briefly alluded to. On entering the building, the first thing which strikes the attention is the skeleton of a huge whale, and in close proximity the skeletons of nioas and other large strutbious birds, aud the skeleton of a giraffe. On the same floor are numerous prerlaceous beasts (stuffed), including representatives of the lion and tiger species, beals, sharks, monkeys, of varieties too numerous to mention, are here found in life-like postures. This floor, if it may not instruct many of the old, will certainly delight the young. Proceeding from the street level by a commodious and handsome staircase, we ieach

THE FIRST FLOOR. Here are exhibited specimens of ailicifiedwood, fossils (including the paddle of an ichthyosaurus from the Cheviot Hills, Canterbury), fishes (including fossil fishes), stone implements of New Zealand make, Maori fisbhooks, Maori images, and other mementoes of ancient local industries. The collection of shells is a most extensive one, and as every item can be inspected with facility, it will no doubt soon wia the special admiration of visitors from a distance. Preceeding to the

UPPER FLOOR. The eye is literally bewildered with the superb collection of birds of all countries and climes. Birds of all imaginable colours, trora those of the homeliest and most unpretentious feathers to the magnificently plumaged Birds of Paradise, occupy the whole of the immense wall space. The birds of New Zealand occupy one end of the building, and it is satisfactory to state that, with, the exception of a few very rare birds of the North Island, and .some that are only occasionally fpund on New Zealand shores, the representation of the avi-fauna oi the Colony is complete. An immense collection of insects is shown in this room, and tha crabs and echini are well represented. In one compartment are to be seen nearly a dozen nests of that curious insect, the trap-door spider. The minerals are not at present on view, having been sert to Professor Liversidge, of Sydney, to be named and described. In concluding this notice, it would not be right to omit reference to the industrious taxidermist, Mr Jennings, whose services the Museum is fortunate enough to have. Mr Jennings has evidently worked assiduously, and the practically innumerable specimens of his skill which adorn the new building are the best testimony of his skill and application.