and Laboratory Methods. 



2559 



the south side of the east tower hall. Generally, the height of the desk at front 

 is three feet, and the length, made up of two sashes, eight feet; the width of the 

 whole case, from the front of one sloping desk on one side, to the front of the 

 opposite side, is 5 ft. o in. The steep A case between the desks is 2 ft. 2 in. 

 high, and 18 ins. wide at the base. These cases are useful, but they scarcely 

 meet the expectations of tasteful composition. Their design is mixed and incon- 

 clusive. 



A table case of considerable interest, though overweighted with ornament, was 

 designed for Prof. Henry A. Ward for the reception of his superb series of 

 Meteorites — known as the Ward-Coonley collection. These cases are shown 

 in Fig. 74. They are provided interiorly with stepped pyramids on which the 



Fig. 7.!. — A and table case combined. 



specimens are arranged in lines, raised on mahogany pedestals. The glass 

 sashes are unlocked at the top and come out bodily from their positions, being 

 lifted in and out, a disposition not favorable for convenient working, and attended 

 with some danger, nor does it, in the instance illustrated, entirely preclude dust. 



The question of dust is a very trying one to the museum curator, and all 

 devices which can exclude this obnoxious, defacing and annoying substance are 

 joyfully welcomed. Its complete exclusion seems to be rather a matter of milieu 

 than of apparatus. Dustless positions for museums are a greater protection 

 than elaborated safeguards against its penetration. 



The prevalent method of protection in the table cases and to some extent in 



