American Museum Of Natural History

Think of it as "Antiques Roadshow," but with some antiques a million centuries old. Hundreds of New Yorkers, bearing things from dinosaur bones to Balinese figurines to a dead box turtle, descended on the American Museum of Natural History over the weekend for the museum's 15th annual "Identification Day."

Passing two ponderous Galapagos tortoises, the ninth-graders arrived at the origin of a 150-year struggle between science and faith-based beliefs, where the contested terrain is every student's mind. The tortoises, living icons of Charles Darwin's theory of natural selection, belong to the most comprehensive exhibition ever assembled on the life and thought of the 19th century naturalist.

Appreciation of American Indian art, especially during the past 30 years, continues to rise. For the Pomo Indians of Northern California, however, their unparalleled artistry in basket weaving has created a demand for their work that has lasted more than a century. "Since the 1880s, when Pomo baskets first became sought after, the Pomo have changed their lifestyles enormously," said Dr.

The "Brazilian Princess," the world's largest cut gem and twice the size of the next largest jewel, arrived Thursday at the American Museum of Natural History, icy blue and as big as a car headlight. The 9 1/2-pound, 21,327-carat cut topaz was given to the American Museum of Natural History by an anonymous donor last month. It will be displayed sometime in January.

Fascinating, perhaps, but not recommended for hypochondriacs: "Epidemic! The World of Infectious Diseases" runs to Sept. 6 at the American Museum of Natural History in New York. It uses TV newscasts, three-dimensional models of bacteria and viruses, interactive stations (hopefully not too interactive) and other exhibits to explore everything from the flu to the 14th century Black Death epidemic. Information: tel. (212) 769-5100.

Samantha, a 26-foot python believed by her keepers to be the largest snake in captivity, has died at the Bronx Zoo. Her estimated age was 29. The zoo planned to send Samantha, who died Wednesday, to the American Museum of Natural History in Manhattan for preservation. A cause of death has not been determined. "Samantha was a rather mellow and easygoing creature as giant snakes go," said Bill Holmstrom, supervisor of the Bronx Zoo's World of Reptiles.

Josie De Falla, formerly with the Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center, has been named executive assistant to Bowers Museum director Paul Piazza. From 1981-86, De Falla served as Piazza's administrative assistant when he was director of the Colorado Springs arts center. Piazza assumed his post at the Santa Ana museum in January. De Falla has also held administrative posts with Eastern Oregon State College and with the American School in Lima, Peru.

The Museum of the City of New York announced a $28-million expansion that will add 23,000 square feet, including a renovated lobby and a 2 1/2 -story addition at the rear of the existing building. The museum has a collection of more than 1.5 million objects and images available to researchers and hosts exhibitions on various aspects of the city's history.

A 90-foot-long diorama of an African rain forest is the highlight of the 11,000-square-foot Hall of Biodiversity that opened this weekend at the American Museum of Natural History in New York City. The diorama uses video, sound and light to show the forest in three states: pristine, altered by natural forces, and degraded by human intervention. The hall also portrays evolution, using more than 1,500 specimens and models, and gives updates on fires and other environmental events.