40 REPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1893. 



It may be added that cartridge paper, such as is ordinarily used for 

 wall decoration, in any tint of gray or light brown, is an admirable 

 material for labels, especially large ones. It must, however, be glued 

 to a tablet. If this is made of dark wood with a bevel retreating from 

 the edge of the label, forming a dark border, the effect is very pleas- 

 ing". Labels thus prepared, and mounted upon metal rods, are used by 

 , us for general classification labels in the interior of cases. 



It is the plan in the National Museum to have a large label, glazed 

 and framed, at the top of each case, or in front of each panel. These 

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



The labels in gold on black are printed from large wooden type, and 

 are used to indicate the general system of classification of the cases 

 upon the tioor. When it is desired to use outside labels, glazed and 

 framed, whi(;h are not in this general-classification series, we print with 

 heavy-faced tyjte in black upon manila or cartridge paper, such as have 

 been already referred to, since the black upon yellow is more legible 

 with comparatively small type than the gold upon black. 



The National Museum owes many most important lessons in the 

 matter of labeling and the interior fitting of cases to the Art Museum 

 at South Kensington. Their system was studied with the greatest care 

 by the writer in 1880 and during a residence of seven months at South 

 Kensington in 1883, and, as will be evident to anyone who knows their 

 system, its influence has been very great upon that in use in Washing- 

 ton. 



In the accompanying illustrations (Pis. lo-2G) are shown a number 

 of the forms of labels adopted in the National Museum. Others are 

 being developed from day to day; but it is thought advisable tb place 

 these upon record as an indication of what has already been accepted 

 as measurably good. 



ADVANCES IN GENERAL INSTALLATION. 



The map devised by Mr. Merrill to show the extent and location of 

 the great ice sheet in North America during the glacial period is 

 described further on in this report. 



The synoptical collection of invertebrates prepared by Mr. Lucas also 

 marks a positive advance in methods of mounting and labeling, to say 

 nothing of the success attained in showing the structure of certain 

 representative forms. This work will be described in the report for 

 1894, and a mere mention must now suffice. 



The accompanying illustrations (Pis. 27, 28, 29), liowever, tell the 

 story better than words can do. 



We have adopted two ideas already well cnrricMl out in the British 

 JVIuseum of Natural History, and original with its director. Sir William 

 Flower, to whom we are indebted lor other ideas eciually good, soon to 



* To x»roduce silver letters, size is used instead of printer's ink, and nickel powder 

 is applied before the size is (Uy. The nickel is nnebangeable and very ei1^"ective. 



