British Museum (Natural History) General GuideBritish Museum (Natural History)
History
British Museum (Natural History) General Guide
British Museum (Natural History)
British Museum (Natural History) -- Guidebooks; Natural history museums -- England -- London -- Guidebooks
The North Hall, or that portion of the building situated to the
northward of the principal staircase, is used for the exhibition of the
more important breeds of Domesticated Animals, as well as of examples
of Hybrids and other Abnormalities. A series of specimens illustrative
of Economic Zoology is likewise temporarily placed here.
The examples of Domesticated Mammals include Horses, Cattle, Sheep,
Goats, Llamas, Dogs, Cats, and Rabbits. One of the main objects of this
series is to show the leading characteristics of the well-established
breeds, both British and foreign. In addition to Domesticated Animals
properly so called, there are also exhibited examples of what may be
termed Semi-domesticated Animals, such as white or parti-coloured Rats
and Mice.
The skulls and skeletons of celebrated Horses[7] of all breeds,
including those of the Thoroughbreds “Persimmon” (presented by His
Majesty King Edward VII.), “Stockwell,” “Bend Or,” and “Ormonde,”
and of the Shire “Blaisdon Conqueror,” form a notable feature of the
series. In another case is exhibited the dentition of the Horse at
different periods of existence; while on the opposite side of the same
is illustrated the evolution of the Horse from three-toed and four-toed
ancestors, and also certain peculiarities distinguishing the skulls of
Thoroughbreds and Arabs from those of most other breeds.
Among the more notable exhibits are a mounted specimen of a Spanish
Fighting Bull, which belongs to an altogether peculiar breed, and heads
of Spanish Draught Cattle, presented by H.M. King Edward VII. Among the
Sheep, attention may be directed to the four-horned, fat-tailed, and
fat-rumped breeds, and also to the small breed from the island of Soa,
as well as the curious spiral horned Wallachian Sheep. The so-called
wild cattle of Chillingham Park are included in this series, since
they are not truly wild animals, but are descended from a domesticated
breed. The celebrated Greyhound “Fullerton” is shown among the series
of Dogs, which also comprises examples of the Afghan Greyhound, and of
the Slughi or Arab Greyhound. Small-sized models of Cattle, Horses,
Sheep, and Pigs also form a feature of the series.
A hybrid between the Zebra and the Ass is shown in one of the cases;
while photographs illustrate the results of experiments undertaken by
Professor Ewart in cross-breeding between Burchell’s Zebra and the
Horse. An example of the Lion-Tiger hybrids born many years ago in
Atkins’ menagerie is likewise shown.
A fine series of hybrid Ducks and hybrid Pheasants is exhibited in the
north hall.
[Sidenote: Skeletons of Man and Horse.]
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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