234 Memorial of George Brown Goode. 



D. — CLASSIFICATION I,ABKI.S. 



1. In additiou to the labels of individual objects there are "classifica- 

 tion labels, ' ' which serve the same purpose as the volume, chapter, section, 

 and paragraph headings in a printed work. 



For the smaller groups these are placed inside of the case; for the larger 

 ones outside, often serving as ' ' case labels. ' ' 



2. The relationship of the objects in a series to each other may usually 

 be indicated by the size of the labels, which should be uniform for objects 

 of the same general character in the same case. When a deviation from 

 this rule is necessary, if the size of the type remain the same, more space 

 may be obtained, either by slight widening or slight lengthening; but in 

 the same series it should be always lengthened or always widened. 

 Classification labels which are placed unattached among the specimens 

 increase in size with the importance of the grade of that case. 



3. There are limits to the possibilities of making labels speak by their 

 size. An object at the top of a case or on a pedestal or in a case by 

 itself is always regarded as ' ' out of classification, ' ' and its label arranged 

 solely with reference to its appearance or utility in the place where it is 

 to stand. It is necessary to vary the size somewhat in the same series, 

 when, as in a long case of mammals, a small species and a large one are 

 placed side by side. Here, for aesthetic reasons, the rule is usually set 

 aside. 



Comment.— It is the plan in the United States National Museum to have a large 

 label, glazed and framed, at the top of each ease or in front of each panel. These 

 are printed on black or maroon paper in gold or silver letters. The labels in gold or 

 black are printed from large wooden type and are used to indicate the general system 

 of classification of the cases upon the floor. When it is desired to use outside labels, 

 glazed and framed, which are not in this general classification series, we print with 

 heavy-faced type in black upon uianila or cartridge paper, since the black upon yel- 

 low is more legible with comparatively small type than the gold upon black. 



X.— GUIDES AND LECTURERS; HANDBOOKS AND 

 REFERENCE BOOKS. 



A. — GUIDES AND I^ECTURERS. 



1. In the days when nniseums were small and visitors few it was 

 possible, as has already been said, for a curator of a collection personall>' 

 to conduct the visitors and to explain to them the collections; but this 

 can no longer be done luider the changed conditions. The label and the 

 handbook have forever replaced the guide, for an unintelligent leader 

 can effect nothing but harm. 



2. A modification of the guide sj'stem is still practicable under certain 

 circumstances, as when a party of persons interested in some special sub- 

 ject are conducted through a portion of a museum by a teacher or some 

 member of the museum staff who serves in this capacity. This is the 

 floor-lecture system, which, however, to be efficient must be coupled with 



