262 ' NATURAL SCIENCE. Oct.. 



important structures is pointed out by a narrow strip of paper, to the 

 outer end of which a label bearing the name of the part is attached. 

 A difficulty is experienced when applying this method of demonstra- 

 tion to spirit specimens. If the paper pointer attached to the label is 

 to actually touch the structure which it is desired to indicate, the 

 label must be sealed up in the spirit with the dissection. This method 

 has been adopted in the preparation of the portal veins of the frog, 

 in the last column but two ; but, even disregarding the practical 

 difficulties of so affixing the labels to a flexible dissection that in the 

 finished preparation they may be perfectly horizontal (and it will be 

 observed that nowhere in the series is the eye offended by obliquely 

 sloping labels), the transparency of the paper in spirit and the 

 subsequent discoloration render the labels less striking than those 

 attached to osteological and other dry preparations. In all the 

 dissections, with the exception of that just mentioned, the labels are 

 affixed, not to the dissection, but to the front surface of the glass jar 

 in which it is mounted, and, although the paper pointers cannot 

 touch the part indicated, yet in very few cases is there any uncertainty 

 as to what is specially intended to be shown, blood-vessels being 

 injected, and nerves and small ganglia being made more conspicuous by 

 strips of black paper placed beneath them. In all cases the free 

 extremity of the pointer is exactly over the structure pointed at when 

 the axis of vision is normal to the surface of the glass at that point, 

 that is to say, when the free end of the pointer is in the centre of the 

 reflected image of the one eye to which, for this purpose, the observer 

 must limit himself. 



Not the least important aim of the educationalist is the attain- 

 ment of such methods of imparting instruction as shall enable the 

 student to assimilate information with the least possible conscious 

 effi^rt. Any measure which is calculated to reduce the mental wear 

 and tear is an important step towards the perfecting of our system of 

 education. It will be noticed that in this series there are no long 

 labels likely to weary or disgust the student. The labels are kept as 

 short and concise as is consistent with accuracy, since it has been 

 observed that, while a visitor will seldom take the trouble to read 

 through a label of twenty lines, he will not hesitate to do so if that 

 label be divided into four or five parts interspersed among the 

 specimens.' The information furnished by a label at the top of a 

 tablet is of a general nature and applies to the group of specimens 

 below, whereas the label beneath each specimen has particular 

 reference to that preparation only. 



Specimens, whether dry or in spirit, too small to be labelled in 

 the usual way, are accompanied by an enlarged drawing, and the 



1 In the August number of this Journal Mr. S. F. Harmer, reviewing the Fifth 

 Annual Report of the Proceedings of the Museums Association, very justly condemns 

 the employment of lengthy labels in museums, and furnishes one or two sound 

 arguments in support of his position. 



