DOINGS OF THE MONTH,

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume L, Issue 12145, 4 September 1908, Page 3

DOINGS OF THE MONTH,

THE INVERTEBRATES. Iho early part of the month was spent in re-arranging the sloping show case, which contained the foreign and native invertebrates. The specimens were removed, and the interior of the cases repainted, as the paper in many places was very much d.s.oloured and torn.

The foreign spocimens, have been arranged in their natural classification Among the Crustacea we have seme fine specimens of crabs and crayfish, including among these the famous Robber or Cocoanut-Crab, found in the CocosKeelmg Islands. This animal feeds upon fallen cocoa-nuts, and we are endebted to Darwin for the following-graphic discnption of its method of extracting the fleshy parb from-the hard shell and Bbrous husk. "The- front pair of legs terminate in a very strong and powerful pincers, and the last pair but oneare fitted with others, weaker and much narrower. It would at first be thought quite impossible for a crab to open a strong cccoa-nut covered with the husk but Mr Liesk assures me that he has repeatedly seen this/ effected. The crab begins by tearing, the husk, fibre by fibre, and always from that end under which the three holes are situatedwhen this is completed . the crab commences hammering with its heavy claws on one of the eye-holes till an opening is made. Then by turning round its body, by the aid of its posterior and r. arrow pair of pincers, it extracts the white albuminous.substance." Forbes. On A Naturalist's Wanderings in the pastern Archipelago) gives further details, stating that the proper eye-hole (only one of the three is soft) is pierced by means of the pointed end "of one or the walking-legs, the orifice, when sufficiently enlarged, being still further widened by the great, claws. Near the Robber Crab is the famous King Crab (.Limulus), an animal that at one time vas very abundant over the earth in earlier periods of ihe world's history: out is now almost, instinct. In addition to the good collection of' shells, and starfishes, etc., we' have added a large number of fine corals. to the exhibit: 1110 native collection has been treated m a similar manner, and when the animals have been all cleaned up, andon many cases remounted, they will make an lnterestinp- show • ' . THE EFFECT OF A LEAK ' Some time before I took charge ofthe Museum a leak in the roof, caused a lot-of water to pour into the large show case containing the lion b^ar in a time the mould and airtt had seriously discoloured the whole" case- as well . as to partly injure the specimens. The'case has been repainted, and as soon as the specimens are ready, they will be put back in their places.

• : FOREIGN BIRDS' EGGS Xnere were a large number of miscellaneous birds' eggs, scattered through the Museum, but owing to their scattered arrangement, and the absence of labels they were of very little use. ;lhese have been all. sorted out and a set is.being prepared for exhibition Many of them are unlabelled, so that sometime must elapse before it can be SS letei- 7Mr W- .Ferguson, has kindly offered to print some labels for them, and thus the collection wilKbe mage more instructive.

- - should like to draw the attention of the public.to the set of regulations now posted up in the Museum. They are _m follows:—1. Dogs, bicycles, perambulators, etc., not admitted. 2 Smoking and. eating of food strictly prohibited.., 3: Children a noise-will >c expelled. .4., Photographs may not be taken without the Curator's permission. 5. A bell will be rung at closing time. I wish to especially emphasize the second and third rVula*i° ns- Many people seem to consider the Museum as a kind of play-ground and smoking and eating of food used to be commonly indulged in.' Often parents bring their children in, and while they themselves are examining the exhibits the children are allowed to run about the building as though they were ma misery. W,hile not wishing to debar anyone from the Museum, we should like both parents and children to remember, that for the sake of the general public, the second and third regulations will be strictly enforced THE APPROACH TO THE MUSEUM. Ine two nesv lamps, which were promised by the Council,: have not yet been put vp 3 but we, expect by the end or this month to have them in their places, as well as the whole front of the Museum, cleared, up and put in proper order. The old dilapidated bird cage has been Teinoved; also the old monkey house, and the place looks better for their absence. The aviary is being overhauled, and the interior of the cages scrubbed and whitewashed, so that the birds will have clean and healthy surroundings. m A NEW PICTURE. The oil painting mentioned in the annual report, has been framed and hung in the main hall, on the ri«ht hand side. The pictjui-e^which is^by a famous English artist depicts a rural scene, with cattle in the fore ground, and a small stream running through a meadow.

ACCESSIONS FOR THE MONTH. Mr Purser, an abnormal hen's egg Note—lnside the ordinary shell is another small shell, about in thickness, made ug. of a glassy looking material. Mr J. Brady, two pieces1 of coal, carved in the shape of hearts. Mr 6. R. Mairiner. a frest-fish skeleton from the motith of the Kaitoke River. Mr C. E. Maftkay (the Mayor), a number of impressions of the seals of many notable towns. Note—This collection' consists of 68 impressions in all, and is both valuable and interesting. Mr Mackay has been collecting tor some time, and among the set ai-e impressions of many famous seals, the most notable of all being the Great Victorian Seal of our late Queen. As soon as suitable eases can be purchased the collection will bo on view to the public. Mr G. W. Carrard. a number of mounted New Zealand ferns (all named), also a halfpenny, dated 1778. Mr Arthur. Appelyard, a Beer cheque. Mr C. H. 01sen 3 a large Moa's femur, from Mangatoke. Master D. H. Preston, a banded Dotterell; a large spider's nest and several pieces of selenite from Mangamahu. Nofe—Selenito is a hydrous calcium-sulphate, commonly known as Gypsum. The specimens are in the shape of flat circular discs, ranging from the size of a penny up to the width of an ordinary straw hut, and were obtained in the T>apa cliffs near Mangamahu, Mr H. Montgomery, of Makirikiri: Mr H. Duncan, a field gun shell, found in the sand near the river mouth. Mr A. Evans, a email fish.. Mrs. A. C. Robertson, Australian shark (young).

Through the kindnessof Messrs Alex Ross and Joseph Lee, of Brisbane. I shall bo able to exhibit a fine collection

of Australian snakes; also a fairly complete set of ants.

For some years past I have been the recipient of several boxes of Queensland insects from these two gentlemen, and I hope soon to be able to place a good collection of the lower forms of the Australian fauna in the Museum. My brother H. J. Marriner, of Uiurstehurch), while on a recent visit to the Old Country, was able to procure .ft glass case showing the manufacture of lead pencils from the raw material to fcho finished article. ■

In a letter he stated that he was forwarding it to me for exhibition in the Museum.

1 also received a fine collection of New Guinea insects from him some time ago, and as soon as I can find time to mount them they will be placed in th Museum.

ACCESSIONS TO THE LIBRARY. Old Wanganui settlers, by Mr J. Garland Wooiij ninth annual renort of the Plymouth Museum, annals "of the National Museum of Mexico, guide to the Dublin Art and Science Museum, forty-first annual report of the Dominion Library. :

THE CURATOR'S VISIT TO WEL-

LINGTON

During my visit to Wellington, I was able to collect a lot of information which will be very useful to the Museum. Besides examining the Dominion Museum and the Newtown Museum, a day was spent at. Island Bay in collecting a number of spacimens of the fauna of the sea-shore.

Mr William Haggett, of Wellington, has kindly consented to present the Museum with a small printing press, if we can obtain some type,,as almost the whole eolleiction will have to be relabelled, this gift is of great value to us, and will save much .money, which would otherwise be spsnt on labels. I should be glad to hear from anyone who is willing to" help us in procuring the necessary type, either by money or by gifts of block type suitable for Museum labels.." .

AN APPRECIATION

1 feel that I cannot close this report without referring to the loss that the Museum has sustained by the death of Mr A. D.- Willis. For many years he has been a member as well as one of tho Board of Trustees, and by his enthusiastic support has done much to aid the institution. Numerous exhibits as well as gifts of money, testify to the practical sympathy, given -to the Museum by Mr Willis.