REPORT OF ASSISTANT SECRETARY. 39 



Labels, as a rule, seem to be most satisfactory when nearly s()uare, 

 or with tlie height less than the width. 



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 devi- 

 ation froni this rule' is necessary, if the size of the type remains the 

 same, more space may be obtained either by slight widening or slight 

 lengthening; but iu the same series we nuist always lengthen or always 

 widen. Classification labels, which are placed, unattached, among the 

 specimens, Increase in size with the importance of their grade in the 

 plan of classification, as is shown iu the family labels illustrated. 



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

 size. An object on the top of a case, or on a i^edestal, 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 also 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 iesthetic; reasons, the rule 

 of uniformity is usually set aside. 



Much attention has been given to the selection of type and color for 

 labels, it having been found that labels printed on white cardboard 

 become dirty or turn yellow, besides being dazzling and hard to read. 

 Many tints of cardboard which would otherwise be available may not 

 be used, because of their tendency to fade — objectionable in itself, and 

 dcuibly objectionable when it becomes necessary to put a fresh, bright 

 label by the side of one which has become faded in use. Almost every 

 sample of colored board which has been tried in the National Museum 

 has faded after a time. The most satisfactory has been one of greenish 

 gray. This is temporarily in use in the geological and mineralogical 

 collections, where a light gray color for the interior of the cases and 

 shelves seems preferable, and also in the collection of birds, which is 

 installed by preference in a somewhat dark apartment. 



The standard label-board, however, is a rough -faced nuinila. The 

 color, being that natural to the fiber, is quite unchangeable. There is 

 no fading, little tendency to become dirty, and its soft, rich, brownish- 

 yellow tone sets off admirably the heavy black lines of the antique-faced 

 type which is used, and harmonizes well with the bufts and maroons 

 which are our favorite colors for case interiors. The material at first 

 used was a somewhat soft though thick paper, made specially for genus- 

 covers in the herbarium. This did not i)rove thoroughly satisfactory, 

 since the labels, unless very small, had to be glued <u' tacked to some 

 solid support to prevent their bending and winding, and even then the 

 corners frequently rolled. 



We now have a special cardboard of the material just mentioned, 

 heavily pressed, very stiif, and durable, which, though its surface 

 lacks somewhat the desirable softness, proves very satisfactory.* 



'Samples of tliis board will be sent to any niuacnin worker who may request it. 



