Vol. V] EVERMANN— DIRECTOR'S REPORT FOR 1914 21 



in a number of ways, a few of which may be briefly men- 

 tioned here. In the first place, the Academy must instal and 

 maintain in its Museum objects and groups of objects that are 

 educative in character; that will teach definite lessons; and 

 they must be displayed in such manner as will enable the vis- 

 itor readily to gain the knowledge which the exhibit is meant 

 to impart. And right there is a vital point: the object must 

 be displayed in a way which will enable the visitor to under- 

 stand the lesson it is meant to teach. To be sure, the collec- 

 tions must be properly labelled and placed in good light, but 

 that is not enough. The arrangement and the grouping must 

 be considered. And there must be intelligent, sympathetic 

 interpreters or guides whose appreciation of the lessons to be 

 taught, and whose enthusiasm will become contagious as the 

 exhibits are explained to the visitors. The visitors will thus 

 get the most out of what they see. Among exhibits that can 

 be made of the greatest popular interest and highest educa- 

 tional value are the large habitat groups of California animals 

 to which reference has already been made. Added to these 

 there should be seasonal groups of birds and other animals, in 

 which the animals will be shown in natural surroundings as 

 they appear at different seasons of the year. For example, 

 there should be four seasonal groups of the birds of the vicin- 

 ity of San Francisco, one showing the winter species under 

 winter conditions, and one for each of the other seasons. 

 Similar groups of ptarmigan, snowshoe rabbits, deer and other 

 animals will be provided. 



Then there is the Lowe collection of Indian baskets, pot- 

 tery and other objects of Indian manufacture and use now 

 ready to instal, a collection that has great educational value. 



And still another now available is the Henry Hemphill 

 conchological collection of marine, freshwater and land shells, 

 especially rich in west coast species, and very valuable not only 

 for exhibition purposes but also for research. 



Then, in addition to the large habitat and ecological groups, 

 the museum must contain small groups or family groups of 

 small animals of special interest and educational value. These 

 groups should be many in number because the lessons are many 

 and important which can best be taught by them. And a well- 

 appointed museum will make it possible for every child in 



