to keep them in proper order, the mammal galleries alone in the Natural History Museum demand a large proportion of the time of one of the officials. Not the least important of the changes made in the mammalian galleries under the supervision of Sir William Flower was the alteration of the colour of the stands on which the specimens were mounted. These, as already said, were of polished sycamore, the bright reflection from which was exceedingly unbecoming to the specimens, to say nothing of the obvious lack of æsthetic fitness in mounting stuffed mammals upon a polished surface of this nature. Before anything in the way of a change was attempted, Sir William sought the advice of his friend, the late Lord Leighton, after consultation with whom, it was finally decided that in future the stands should be of a good “cigar-colour.” This was effected, in the first instance, by scraping and staining the original sycamore stands—a work of great labour and expense; but all new ones were subsequently made of wood more easy to work, walnut being employed in the case of the smaller sizes. Even this improvement, great as it undoubtedly was, did not, however, by any means represent the full extent of the changes in this direction. After a short experience of the aforesaid “cigar-coloured” stands, it was found that the general effect was much improved by gouging out the upper surface of these, with the exception of a narrow rim round the margin, to a depth of a quarter or half an inch, and covering it with a thin layer of sand or earth, upon which leaves, pebbles, etc., might be disposed if required. Instead of “skating on sycamore tables,” the animals were by this means shown standing on a very good imitation of a natural land surface.