and Laboratory Methods. 



268^ 



THE SCIENTIFIC SYSTEM. 



The Scientific system aims at an exhaustive display of species arranged in 

 botany and zoology, according to their biological affinities, and in palaeontology 

 according to biology and position, while in inorganic life it illustrates the entire 

 range of mineral science. This is the more common, the more generally insisted 

 upon, form of museum installation. It is well understood ; cases filled with 

 examples of all the known or obtainable specimens of species. At its best, 

 when it takes on, more and more, a philosophical expression, the Scientific 

 system uses diagrams, photographs and maps, to illustrate anatomy, habits and 

 distribution, and it does not hesitate to involve popular features in its work, 

 describing special things with clearness and interest. Indeed an enlightened 

 scientific treatment tries to alleviate the dryness of terminology with popular and 



Fig. ho. — South Kensington Museum ; south court. 



informing features. The curator who thinks his science is invalidated by enter- 

 taining instruction to the public is certainly deceived. 



The cosmopolitan museum will make use of all these systems, building up 

 from the scientific, as a basic method, and introducing the philosophical at all 

 necessary points, while the popular treatment would prevail like a dominant 

 influence over each. 



EFFECT. 



Effect is quickly understood. The aesthetic quality of a display is gauged 

 upon inspection. And such effects are numerous : tasteful, impressive, sensa- 

 tional, sumptuous, plain ; but referring always to visual impressions affecting 

 our sense of beauty, propriety, clearness, etc. 



Impressions made upon the eye are of the utmost importance in museum 



