The plastic replica could be put in place, and a label explaining 

 the substitution could accompany the model. 



Recently, possibilities have been explored to find a way in 

 which the models might be cleaned, but to date no really satis- 

 factory method has been found. The collection at present is 

 housed in very well made horizontal and vertical exhibit cases, 

 some of which date back to the 1 890's. Although of high quality, 

 they are aging. Many of them are still sound, but in some cases, 

 the joints have dried out and have loosened. During the past ten 

 years, a few have had to be repaired. Most of these repairs 

 concern loose legs on the horizontal cases, discovered in moving 

 the cases to install the recently completed air conditioning 



system. 



The collection is adequately lighted, but it does have a few 

 drawbacks. The light from the overhead fluorescent fixtures is 

 reflected from the glass in the horizontal cases; the reflection 

 interferes to a certain extent with viewing the models. Further- 

 more, the overhead lights cause shadows on parts of the models 

 in the vertical cases. When installed, this lighting was probably 

 the most satisfactory type available. If the entire collection were 

 to be housed in vertical cases equipped with interior lighting, 

 these drawbacks could be eliminated; then, all the models on 

 exhibit could be seen by viewers at close range, an advantage not 

 now possible for the models in the horizontal cases. 



It has also been suggested that the collection could be 

 thinned out" somewhat and still maintain the phylogenetic con- 

 tinuity so useful for teaching purposes. With fewer models on 

 exhibit, all in vertical cases, floor space would be gained to 

 accommodate the increasing numbers of visitors. At present, the 

 aisle space between cases is adequate when only a few people are 

 present, but when groups of fifty or more are circulating in the 



aisles, the space is quite cramped. 



Some years ago an attempt was made to raise funds to solve 

 some of these problems, but it was only partially successful. A 

 sufficient amount was raised to provide for installation of the 

 constant temperature and humidity control system mentioned 

 above. That environmental improvement was considered to be 



14 



47 



