380 REPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1892. 



Among - many others who have been more or less influential in insist- 

 ing upon the highest standard for the art, in each and all of its 

 branches, we must not forget the distinguished names of Joseph H. 

 Batty, the author of a number of works upon practical taxidermy; 

 0. J. Maynard, the well-known writer of the The Naturalist's Guide; 

 Prof. J. AY. P. Jenks, who, through a long and honorable career, has 

 never reused his efforts in not only doing much for taxidermy, but in 

 the introduction of study series of animals in the public schools in 

 New England and elsewhere; and a host of other worthy promoters. 



At the Nation a 1 Museum, at Washington, in recent times, in addition 

 to the fine group pieces of Hornaday and of Lucas, there has been 

 some masterly work done in the taxidermic art by Mr. Joseph Palmer, 

 and his son, Mr. William Palmer; also by Mr. Nelson R. Wood and 

 Mr. Henry Denslow, the nature of which I have already noticed in a 

 popular article published in The Great Divide, of Denver, Colo., for 

 December, 1892. and which will be referred to again in the present 

 connection. 



From the opinions, then, of the European and American taxidermists 

 as 1 have thus far quoted them, it is evident that the general develop- 

 ment of the art sliows at this time very marked improvement, and the 

 tendency among its votaries is to raise it to the highest possible stand- 

 ard of excellence. With such a movement the writer is in the most 

 hearty sympathy, and I am of the opinion that the day is not far dis- 

 tant when taxidermy will rind its lawful place on the platform of the 

 most highly cultivated of the arts. As a matter of fact it has every 

 right in reason to stand side by side with painting and with sculpture, 

 and its students need have no fears in claiming such a station for it. 



To be a scientific taxidermist requires, or should require, in the first 

 instance, a very thorough education, quite equal to that given by our 

 best colleges. He should have a complete training in biology, with 

 especial emphasis having been placed upon his studies in comparative 

 morphology, so as to be familiar, as far as possible, with the vertebrate 

 skeleton and topographical anatomy, to include more particularly the 

 study of the superficial muscles of vertebrates. He should have such 

 a conception of physics as to be able to decide upon the possible and 

 the impossible in animal postures. In a way, he should be a good ar- 

 tist, be enabled to use the photographic camera, and make intelligent 

 sketches of animals of all kinds and their natural haunts. He should 

 be fully abreast ot the times in all taxidermic technique per se, and 

 possess fine mechanical skill. 



As full a knowledge as can be attained of the habits of animals from 

 personal observations should be added, as well as a constitutional de- 

 sire to become familiar through current literature of all advances made 

 from time to time in his art, and a healthy ambition to ever utilize them 

 and improve upon the same. 



8o far as human ability is concerned, were I at this moment called 



