GENERAL PRINCIPLES OF GROUP-MAKING. 237 



poses, the greatest vigilance is required to enable the collector 

 to secure the specimens just when they reach the right age 

 and size. 



DESIGN. When you have determined to prepare a group of a 

 certain species, stucty the character and size of the subjects to 

 compose it, and then begin by sketching, to the best of your 

 ability, a design in which each specimen shall have its place 

 and attitude. In the preparation of large groups, I have 

 always found the satisfactory arrangement of the specimens 

 the most puzzling and perplexing feature of the work. But 

 however difficult it may be to satisfy myself with a design, I 

 never proceed with a group until the composition of my sketch 

 group is satisfactory. The two largest and finest specimens in 

 a group should constitute its central and commanding figures. 

 Put as little life as possible in the comers of a group, and by 

 all means make the specimens show an interest in, and a rela- 

 tion to, each other. The design must be dominated by one cen- 

 tral idea or purpose, which should never be lost sight of in the 

 arrangement of the group. It is unnecessary to say that each 

 group should form a perfect picture, compact, well rounded, 

 and the relationship of the different specimens to each other 

 should be so clearly defined as to leave no room for the sugges- 

 tion that the specimens have been mounted independently, and 

 simply placed together. 



SPACE. No matter how small or large a group may be, to be 

 perfect in effect it must have abundant case-room. Let there 

 be some room to spare in the corners and above the group. 

 The top of the case should by all means be of glass. An airy, 

 light, out-door effect can not be secured in a small, cramped 

 cage, in which the specimens appear like caged circus animals. 

 If you wish to have your specimens look alive, and as if they 

 are really on their native heath, they must not be " cabin'd, 

 cribb'd, confin'd." 



ACCESSORIES. Although poor accessories are better than none, 

 you will, of course, have them all as nearly perfect as possi- 

 ble. Spare neither time, trouble, nor expense in procuring the 

 finest collection of accessories that you can possibly gather. 

 Do not think you must be satisfied with the first that comes to 

 hand, but search far and wide until you have obtained precisely 



