86 IOWA ACADEMY OF SCIENCE Vol. XXVI, 1919 



The exhibitor must keep in mind the fact that his work is to be 

 seen through the eyes of the public and that many things clear to 

 his mind, or to the minds of others in the same work, may not 

 be at all clear to those whom he would instruct by means of his 

 exhibits. ^- ^ ^ 



Art students often visit our museum for the purpose of drawing 

 and designing from the mounted specimens. One young lady, a 

 college senior, asked me how we managed to kill the mammals 

 and birds in just the positions in which we wanted them for our 

 exhibits. On another occasion we had placed a miniature model 

 of a bison group in the large case that was to be used for the 

 group itself when finished, stating the facts plainly on a label. 

 During the few days that the model was on exhibition a number 

 of people remarked that they did not see why we used such a 

 large case for such a tiny model. 



If it is your fortune to have a competitor, listen to his criticisms, 

 even though they be bitter, for he will seek out every fault and 

 point out much that would be overlooked by a more kindly critic. 

 In short, let us have that sense of the value of criticism which 

 prompts the successful moving-picture actor to drop into some 

 theater to see himself on the screen and hear what people have to 

 say about him. 



During a visit to the Panama Pacific Exposition in San Fran- 

 cisco, I had an experience which verified a thing that for many 

 years I have believed to be one of the most important features 

 in exhibit work. The first day of my visit found me in the Agri- 

 cultural Hall standing before an elk group mounted by Mr. James 

 Clark. As I was admiring the work I noticed a dignified old 

 gentleman, of the Oliver AVcndell Holmes type, standing nearby 

 He remarked that it was a fine piece of work. Two days later I 

 was again in the same hall and almost unconsciously I worked 

 my way around to the elk group when to my surprise I found my 

 friend of the previous visit. Smiling he said. 'T have interests 

 that bring me to this building, and while I am here I often drop over 

 to admire these animals. Although I know nothing about taxi- 

 dermy, I do love a work of art whether it is in the form of a 

 picture, statuary, or mounted specimen." On the last day of my 

 visit I once more passed through the Hall of Agriculture, and 

 there, by the elk group, among other spectators, was the old 

 gentleman. I stopped to speak with him, and we agreed that it 

 was the art in the group that made it worth seeing many times. 



The same spirit was apparent, on a broader scale, among the 



