402 REPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1892. 



but even this does not convince me but what such mounts Avill finally 

 be superseded by the plastic methods and subsequent artistic painting. 

 I speak especially for the large scientific institutions where a full series 

 of alcoholics can be maintained in alcohol, and the exhibition series are 

 intended simply to faithfully present the external characters and ai>- 

 pearances of the specimens. 



The National Museum possesses at least one very elegantly preserved 

 crocodile. Mounted much in the manner pointed out above, it has been 

 placed in an attitude of rest, with very simple surroundings, but made 

 the more interesting from the fact that the taxidermist has placed upon 

 its back one or two specimens of that small Black-headed Plover 

 (Charadrius melanocephalus), which in nature may often be seen perched 

 there, attracted as it is by the insects which occur in numbers upon 

 that part of the huge reptile. 



Here we not only get a fine and naturally preserved specimen of an 

 important and widely known animal, but we likewise have represented 

 in the most striking manner one of the most engaging chapters in its 

 history. 



In alluding to groups of re p tiles, llornaday, after all his long experi- 

 ence, has said that — 



I know of but one good group of reptiles, and that is a group of turtles which 

 was prepared by Mr. F. A. Lucas, and displayed at the exhibition of the S. A. T. iu 

 New York in 1883, where it received a medal, and afterwards was presented by him 

 to the National Museum. This altogether unique and pretty group teaches one very 

 important lesson, viz, that even the most commonplace animals are interesting when 

 they are well mounted and grouped with a setting which represents their natural 

 haunts. Some of the specimens in this group are represented above water, and some 

 beneath it, while one enterprising individual is caught in the act of diving, with 

 half of his body under water and the other half out. The situation represents the 

 successful accomplishment of a very neat mechanical feat and is of itself an illustra- 

 tion of the possibilities in such matters." 



But progress of the most substantial nature, thanks to Mr. Goode, 

 is now being made along such lines in his collections of the U. S. National 

 Museum, and I believe that in a very few years hence the exhibition 

 series of this institution will stand among the very finest in the world. 

 The consummate skill of the Palmers, Mr. Lucas, and a large trained 

 staff of many others of the first ability in designing, painting, and cast- 

 ing, is sure to make it so. Dr. Stejneger has been kind enough to place 

 at my disposition a number of the casts of his department (Reptiles), 

 for which and other courtesies my thanks are here tendered him. 



With regard to the attitudes assumed by snakes, we may say that 

 they are exceedingly numerous and many of them very interesting to 

 behold. To secure figures of these for the use of modelers and casters 

 we have a host of fine illustrations throughout the literature of reptiles, 

 but I am more and more inclined to believe that a work devoted to a 

 carfully prepared series of photographs of snakes taken directly in 



* Taxidermy, pp. 249, 250. 



