varied purposes and then try to make your labels say 

 what the greatest number will wish to know and to 

 say it so simply, vividly, and briefly that a reasonable 

 number of these people will read it and carry away some 

 new idea. Label writing is not a simple matter and, even 

 when the specimens are selected and the labels composed, 

 there remains a process of exhibit making which may make 

 or mar success in itself, viz : installation. Successful cases 

 must be so constructed as to present the exhibit conveniently 

 and agreeably to the eye, while at the same time affording 

 adequate protection against the entrance of dust and in- 

 sects. Small objects must be within eighteen inches of the 

 front of the case to be easily seen and not less than eighteen 

 inches nor more than six feet from the floor. Vertical cases 

 conforming to these requirements are well adapted to rooms 

 lighted from above as in our new building but, with side 

 lighting, reflections from the surface of the glass render the 

 contents of the cases well nigh invisible, as in so many of 

 our present exhibits. Cases of table form or with inclined 

 tops bring the specimens conveniently close to the eyes and 

 are of much use when reflections can be avoided. Plate 

 glass in large sizes forms the only satisfactory case front, 

 but its expense is frequently prohibitive and it will unfortu- 

 nately be necessary for us to use again much of the sash in 

 our old cases, in spite of the fact that it was built to fit the space 

 in the old building and is far from uniform in size. The 

 larger specimens can hardly be exhibited at all until new 

 cases can be provided. The eff'ectiveness of exhibits is 

 greatly enhanced by a background of harmonious and per- 

 manent color and the diversity of colors to be seen in the 

 best museums is an indication of the difficulty of this problem. 

 Among the last steps in the installation of exhibits is the 

 printing of the labels and here the most tasteful and pains- 

 taking care is required to produce effects so pleasing as to 

 invite the perusal of casual visitors. So exacting is this work 



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