507. (72.92) 3i8 



IV. 



Museum Work in Jamaica. 



NOTWITHSTANDING all the criticisms which have appeared, 

 from time to time, in Natural Science upon the aims and 

 objects of museums, there are very few which throw much light upon 

 the claims which a museum in any one of our smaller British 

 Colonies has upon its curator. 



In a provincial museum at home he is advised to make local 

 collections and illustrations his main object, leaving for those of the 

 metropolis and a few of the largest cities the additional responsibility 

 of attempting to represent the more complete series of the world's 

 typical animal and vegetable forms. Here, however, one has the 

 duty of the provincial with the responsibility of the national to 

 combine. So far as practical acquaintance with nature is concerned, 

 Jamaica, to the majority of its inhabitants, is the universe, hence to 

 represent in its museum only objects of local importance is to insulate 

 the already inexperienced mind still further. Undoubtedly, in 

 the cause of science, the first object of such a curator should be to 

 ■obtain the fullest representation possible of the local fauna and flora, 

 and in the next place to endeavour to supply foreign forms for 

 purposes of more complete exemplification and instruction. 



Again, in most institutions it is considered sufficient for a curator 

 to confine himself to the acquisition, arrangement, and study of 

 specimens ; leaving the teaching of their lessons, the stimulation of 

 the interest of the public and the student in natural history, and the 

 guidance of the original worker, to the professors and staff of some 

 teaching organisation. Here, however, to the duties of one's appoint- 

 ment are added, "the delivery of lectures, the stimulation of original 

 scientific research, and the taking of such steps as may be necessary 

 to best advance the scientific interests of the island." When, added 

 to this, he is the main recognised authority upon the applications of 

 science to economical questions, the qualifications necessary to the 

 training of a curator for a colonial museum evidently require much 

 consideration. 



The Museum in Jamaica is one of the components of the Institute 



of Jamaica, an organisation existing for the advancement of 



Literature, Science, and Art in the island ; and embracing also a 



>well-established Public Library and Reading Room and an 



