200 Memorial of George Brotvn Goode. 



C. — THE SPECIFIC REvSPONSIBIUTlES OF THE MUSEUM. 



1. The museum should be held responsible for special services, chiefly 

 as follows : 



a. For the advancement of learning. 



To aid learned men in the work of extending the boundaries of 

 knowledge, by affording them the use of material for investigation, 

 laboratories, and appliances. 



To stimulate original research in connection with its own collec- 

 tions, and to promote the publications of the results. 



b. For record. 



To preserve for future comparative and critical study the material 

 upon which studies have been made in the past, or which may con- 

 firm, correct, or modify the results of such studies. Such materials 

 serve to perpetuate the names and identifications used by investiga- 

 tors in their publications, and thus authenticated, are useful as a 

 basis for future investigation in connection with new material. 

 Specimens which thus vouch for the work of investigators are called 

 types. Besides types, museums retain for purposes of record man}^ 

 specimens which, though not having been used in investigation, are 

 landmarks for past stages in the history of man and nature. 



c. As an adjunct to the class room and the lecture rooyn. 



To aid the teacher either of elementary, secondary, technological, 

 or higher knowledge in expounding to his pupils the principles of 

 Art, Nature, and History, and to be used by advanced or professional 

 students in practical laboratory or studio work. 



To furnish to the advanced or professional student, materials and 

 opportunity for laboratory training. 



d. To i))ipart special information. 



To aid the occasional inquirer, be he a laboring man, schoolboy, 

 journalist, public speaker, or savant, to obtain, without cost, exact 

 information upon any subject related to the specialties of the insti- 

 tution ; serving thus as a " bureau of information." 



e. For the culture of the public. 



To serve the needs of the general public, through the displa)^ of 

 attractive exhibition series, well planned, complete, and thoroughly 

 labeled ; and thus stimulate and broaden the mind of those who are 

 not engaged in scholarly research, and to draw them to the public 

 library and the lecture room. In this respect the effect of the 

 museum is somewhat analogous to that of travel in distant regions. 



2. A museum to be useful and reputable must be constantly engaged 

 in aggressive work, either in education or investigation, or in both. 



3. A museum which is not aggressive in policy and constantly improv- 

 ing can not retain in its service a competent staff, and will surely fall 

 into decay. 



