248 Field Museum of Natural History — Reports, Vol. V. 



crete, thus avoiding a painted effect. Some carved pebbles were em- 

 ployed to represent individual rock features. The wooded portions of 

 the model contain over 1000 miniature trees. The most prominent 

 geological feature illustrated by this model is the formation of a natural 

 bridge by the collapse of the roof of a cave, leaving only a fragment in 

 the form of a bridge. The canon of Cedar Creek marks the position of 

 the former cave and traces of the latest falling of the roof appear as large 

 limestone boulders in the creek immediately above and below the 

 bridge. The geological reason for the location of the bridge in its 

 present position is indicated by the appearance of the rock on the west 

 wall of the gorge, which shows distinctly at the bridge the axis of a 

 syncline where the beds of limestone lie level and also tend to be less 

 broken than elsewhere. Other characteristic cave features illustrated 

 by the model are light-colored stagmalitic deposits on the wall under 

 the bridge and two vertical pits, one above and one below the bridge. 

 The skeleton of the Irish Deer in Hall 36, having been found to be 

 undergoing injury on account of imperfect mounting, was in part 

 disarticulated and the supporting framework reconstructed. The up- 

 right rods were lengthened, reinforced and attached to the base in such 

 a manner as to give a rigid support. Some fractures in the skeleton were 

 repaired and a few missing parts restored. In remounting, also, the 

 posture of the body was improved. Considerable progress has been 

 made also towards mounting a skeleton of Megacerops. This is an 

 Oligocene titanothere collected in South Dakota by the Museum ex- 

 pedition of 1898. While the greater part of the skeleton was obtained, 

 restoration of some components was found necessary. Most of these 

 it was possible to model from corresponding parts of the same individual, 

 but in some cases comparative studies of related animals were used 

 as a basis for modeling. It is intended to display the skeleton in 

 three-quarters relief on a combined base and background, these 

 reproducing so far as possible the .'matrix from which the specimen 

 was taken. 



In addition to the attention given to preparation and installation of 

 new material, a large amount of time has been occupied in packing in 

 preparation for removal to the new building. For the most part the 

 collections packed have not been of exhibited material, it being deemed 

 desirable to allow this to remain exhibited as long as possible. The study 

 and stored collections have therefore been those which have been chiefly 

 boxed. This work has so far progressed as now to include the vertebrate 

 paleontological collections which have been stored in the basement of 

 the taxidermy building, and the entire study collections of vertebrate 

 and invertebrate fossils, ores and other economic specimens, lithological 



