and Laboratory Methods. 



2503 



The Museum. 

 X. 



THE CASE.— Continued. 

 PIER WALL CASES. 



The T cases previously discussed are good illustrations of pier cases, but as 

 they may be regarded as anomalous, the ordinary box shaped examples are here 

 considered. The pier case extends out into the hallway, usually from the walls, 

 between windows. It is obvious that its dimensions can be much varied, 

 dependent on the purposes it is to meet and the space, between windows, it is to 

 occupy. Such a space should not be excessive. It should hardly exceed nine 

 feet for all cases holding shelving and intended for small objects. In many 

 instances where the wall space is greater and wide cases can be built they may 

 be made into group cases which do not demand extreme illumination for their 

 inspection. Pier cases can be carried outward from the walls into the hallways 

 until the hall becomes a succession of alcoves or rooms with a corridor between. 

 Or vice versa a central partition frame may divide the hall into two halves, and 



Fig. 47. — Wall cases, broad and narrow, between windows. 



against this the pier cases can abut, extending out towards the windows. It is 

 clear that in such a disposition both sides of the hall must be provided with 

 windows, and preferably as many windows as alcoves, and opposite to them. 

 The extreme length of the alcove cases is a disagreeable feature, the hall effect 

 is obliterated, and the table cases, so invaluable for many objects, are expelled. 

 As has often been remarked, it serves the purpose of breaking up the hall into a 

 number of compartments which can be individualized by some special contents, 

 and so the series of alcoves become involved in a developmental or pedagogic 

 system. Generally speaking pier cases may extend from the wall, in a hall 60 

 feet wide, 18 feet. Pier cases should be usually divided by a partition through 



