LEE BARKER WALTON 65 



is an unimportant item, tlie data (except location of spec- 

 imens) being readily obtainable at any time from the 

 Department Catalogue. 



The Reference Catalogue should be located in the prin- 

 cipal room containing the collections to which it refers, 

 where it will be readily accessible to each of the three 

 classes of people for which a museum primarily exists: (a) 

 the specialist, (b) the amateur, and (c) the general 

 pubhc.^ 



One method for arranging the data for a reference cat- 

 alogue, is shown below. 



Systematic Cross Keference Classification by vteans of 

 Tabs. — An excellent method which meets the usual re- 

 quirements, is that of having the tabs arranged as in the 

 Department Catalogue. Geographical cross reference by 

 colors cannot be used inasmuch as one card will often 

 contain specimens from widely separated localities. 



Name of specimens. — Both the scientific name and the 

 common name should be given, the former on the card 

 containing the data, the latter on a separate card referring 

 to the generic or specific name of the particular species. 

 {e. g. Brook Trout, see Salveliniis fontinalis. Pickerel, see 

 Esox, various species.) By placing the common name 

 on cards having a particular color they may be readily 

 distinguished. 



Department mimbers. — Inasmuch as the department 

 numbers will be placed on all material, this will serve to 

 estabhsh the identity of the specimen sought, and in case 

 further data is required, the corresponding number in the 

 Department Catalogue can be consulted. 



Character of Specimens. — In alcohol, mounted, skele- 

 ton, skin, etc. 



Exhibitioit, Storage, etc. — The location of a specimen 

 is indicated by the particular column under which it is 

 placed. If on exhibition, the number or letter of the 



^See Bather, F. 1904. The Functions of a Museum; a Re-Survey. Pop. Sci. 

 Mo., V. 64, p. 210-218. 



