1 64 THE POPULAR SCIENCE MONTHLY 



energies of our curators and the expenditure of our money allowances, 

 are directed along the following lines : 



Our most obvious activity, though not necessarily the most impor- 

 tant one, lies in the accumulation of the preservable remains of ani- 

 mals of the vertebrate classes with the exception of those below the 

 Batrachia. I am sure that no one will disagree with me in the claim 

 that the results of our work will be of far greater moment in thus nar- 

 rowing down the object of our work to a portion of the animal kingdom 

 than if we were to spread it thinly over a greater range of subjects. 



The field of our work is the region immediately about us. In other 

 words, it is much less effective to attempt to secure a representation of 

 the animals of the world than to exploit the fauna of a limited area. 

 The Pacific coast is practically inexhaustible, is naturally of easiest 

 access and should be of greatest interest to this institution. 



Our collections consist of the skins and skulls of mammals, each 

 individual collected being ordinarily represented by its skin, together, 

 of course, with all dermal structures attached, and the entire skull, 

 cleaned and preserved separately. The entire skeletons of a much 

 smaller proportion of the specimens secured are also preserved; and 

 of the smaller forms the entire animal, a few of each species, is pre- 

 served in alcohol for anatomical purposes. 



In the class of birds the ordinary study skin is the chief portion 

 preserved. However, the endeavor is made to secure complete skeletons 

 representative of each family at least; and also portions of skeletons of 

 a greater number, consisting of skulls and sterna chiefly. As with the 

 mammals, alcoholic preparations are saved, especially of young birds. 

 The expense and mechanical inconvenience of collecting and storing 

 alcoholics impose a practical limit upon the quantity of material to be 

 cared for in this way. 



Reptiles and batrachians are preserved entire as alcoholics. Skele- 

 tons should also be prepared and saved, but the difficulty of properly 

 obtaining them has proved so great that as yet we have but few. At 

 any rate, with the entire animal preserved in alcohol it is possible for 

 the special student at any time to take out the skeleton of the reptile 

 or batrachian that it is desired to study. 



The museum's policy is, and should be everywhere, liberal as re- 

 gards the loaning of material to non-resident as well as near-by special- 

 ists. Material of any sort is loaned freely to any responsible person 

 any where for the purpose of aiding in his investigations, or as basis 

 of any special study. The value of a museum's hoard of specimens 

 and facts increases in direct ratio to the extent to which they are used. 

 No museum is a success as long as it remains a cold-storage warehouse, 

 closed to ready access by the general student whether he be remotely 

 situated or located within easy reach. 



