Th e Principles of Museii jn A dtn in istra tion . 231 



(c) It must explain its meanino; and its relations to the other objects 

 in the same series. If it is a natural history specimen it should explain 

 its geographical distribution, which, if possible, should be plotted on a 

 small map, forming a part of the label, and mentioning peculiarities of 

 structure or habit. 



If it is an ethnological object, its uses and construction should be 

 explained, its materials named, if they are not obvious, and supplemen- 

 tary information given by means of pictures; and where pictures are 

 better than words, these may be attached. 



{d) The exact locality, date of collection, and source of the specimen 

 exhibited, should be mentioned. 



(e) For the convenience of visitors it is well, in many cases, to give 

 the dimensions or weight of the specimen. 



5. The label may be made to convey much information in addition to 

 that which is printed upon it by means of maps, pictures, and diagrams, 

 which may be placed by its side to reenforce its teachings, and also by 

 cross references to other specimens in the museum, or to books on the 

 museum reading tables, or in its library. 



6. Exact references from the label to the specimen which it explains 

 may be effected by a system of reference numbers, such as are used to 

 bring a diagram into relation with descriptive text. 



Colors may be applied to portions of a specimen, in order to make the 

 label system more intelligible; as, for instance, when it is desired to com- 

 pare similar parts in a series of specimens placed side by side, the same 

 color in each signifying homology. 



And ' ' pointers ' ' may be used upon the specimens to indicate the locali- 

 ties of small objects, or especially noteworthy features referred to on the 

 label. 



Comment. — The late Professor Moseley was one of the first to adopt these methods, 

 in the Oxford Museum. The system of showing homologies by color was used in 

 the Milan Museum as early as 1878, and has been very effectively used by Mr. F. A. 

 Lucas in the United States National Museum. 



B. — THK ART OF LABEIv WRITING. 



1 . The preparation of labels is one of the most difficult tasks of the 

 museum man. The selection of the descriptive matter to be printed 

 requires the best of judgment and the widest and most accurate infor- 

 mation; while to determine the form and size of the different labels in a 

 series, and to secure the best typographic effect, is equally difficult, and 

 requires abilities of quite a different order. 



2. A label may contain a vast amount of exact and valuable informa- 

 tion, and yet by reason of faulty literary and typographic arrangement, 

 have as little significance and value as a piece of blank paper. 



3. Before a specialist is prepared to label a collection he must be a 

 complete master of the subject which the collection is intended to illus- 

 trate. After he has written the series of labels, if the collection is com- 



