106 Boston Society of Natural History 



five value of the fur. In most cases a mounted specimen of the 

 animal which provides the fur is represented. 



In addition to the economic side, illustrated by the display in the 

 fur room, and ecological data on various habitat groups, all the game 

 animals and those hunted for sport in New England are mounted 

 and on exhibit 



The Taxidermy Department 



THIS, strictly speaking, does not have any exhibition. It is one 

 of the "behind the scenes" departments without which the 

 vertebrate animals would make but a sorry display. A wide range 

 of work calling for great versatility is done here by the Preparator 

 and his Assistant, who are constantly on the lookout for new and 

 improved methods. One day, the work may be skinning and mount- 

 ing a new sparrow to replace a faded specimen, another day, it may 

 be painting a landscape to serve as a background for a new group. 

 Again, plaster casts may be the day's order, or a celluloid irides- 

 cent coating may be in process to put the finishing touches on a 

 new fish, or a celluloid cast of a snake may be in the making. 



A competent taxidermist for this Museum must have a good 

 knowledge of Zoology, must be able to mount birds, mammals, 

 reptiles, and fishes, must be something of an artist and sculptor, 

 as well as a carpenter, plaster worker, and sometimes a good shot 

 with a gun for collecting purposes. Recently the celluloid method 

 of reproducing reptiles has forced us to become familiar with the 

 chemistry involved in working this medium. The demand for habi- 

 tat groups means that thousands of leaves must be cast in wax, one 

 by one, painted, and attached to stems to reproduce faithfully the 

 proper setting for the animal shown in the group. Flowers are like- 

 wise needed, and this calls for expert glass blowing. A well-equipped 



