the rods tend upwards, while those pointing downwards denote degeneration in the animals upon them. The model endeavours to graphically represent the mutual relations of the several groups of the animal kingdom, and to give their degrees of development; and to each specimen are attached labels stating the scientific classification, and giving the position in the museum where similar examples may be found.
Beneath the staircase are specimens of the New Zealand woods. Cut into blocks and polished, some of them show very pretty markings, and although, it is unnecessary to go into the value of these woods, many of them make useful and durable building materials. The kauri, for example, is for many purposes one of the finest woods in the world.
Just here, too, are specimens illustrating the process of manufacture of the native flax, which also has proved itself a valuable product of the soil.
Along the wall-cases are many interesting Maori relics, which testify to the artistic taste of the natives of New Zealand. Many of the greenstone images and implements must have required an immense amount of time and labour to fashion.
The exhibits of the volcanic dust, deposited during the recent eruption in the North Island, should prove of interest, and near at hand are some twigs and the skin of a bird encrusted a silvery white, with silica.
The little glass cubes containing wash-dirt from the Otago goldfields, also attract attention, and are no doubt, of value in showing the nature of the ground in which gold is most likely to be found. Near this stand is another, on which are specimens of the chief building stones obtainable in the colony.
Coming to the minerals, a case containing specimens of the stone, and illustrating the mode of extraction of the tin at the Bischoff mines in Tasmania, is now of special interest in view of the late discoveries at Stewart Island.
The other cases contain examples of the principal groups of minerals, to fully describe which would occupy too much space; suffice it to say, that many of the crystals are very pretty, and attractive to even those who know little of their scientific nature and value.
