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THE AMERICAN MUSEUM JOURNAL 



the engine room. A driveway will be made through the north 

 end of the basement, which will be continued around the in- 

 ner court to give direct connection with other parts of the 

 building, and tracks will be laid from the surface car line on 

 Columbus Avenue which will traverse this roadway and permit 

 cars to discharge passengers at the entrance to the large 

 auditorium, an improvement which is particularly desired for 

 handling the crowds which attend the afternoon lectures to 

 the public-school children. 



JOSEPH H. BATTY. 



]N May 27, Mr. J. H. Batty, the veteran collector, 

 was instantly killed by the accidental discharge 

 of his gun while on an expedition for this Museum 

 at Pijijiapa, Chiapas, Mexico. Mr. Batty was a 

 collector of wide experience in tropical America, 

 and was especially successful in securing the larger Carnivores, 

 so poorly represented in all museums. He was a man of great 

 energy and determination, an enthusiastic collector and hunter, 

 and fearless almost to a fault. He was under engagement with 

 this Museum to continue his work across Guatemala and thence 

 to the Cauca region of southwestern Colombia. His tragic death 

 is thus a serious loss not only to this Museum but also to science. 

 Mr. Batty was born at Springfield, ]\Iass., about 60 years ago, 

 but apparently retained his remarkable physical vigor unabated 

 to the end. He fitted for college, but early abandoned his 

 college course for, to him doubtless, more attractive pursuits, 

 and he spent his life as a taxidermist and natural history col- 

 lector. He was the author of a work on taxidermy and published 

 one or two other books. Personally he was kindhearted and 

 conscientious. 



The Biers tadt painting representing the landing of Columbus 

 which was recently given to the Museum by Mrs. Albert Bier- 

 stadt has been mounted temporarily and placed on exhibition 

 in the Hall of Southwestern Indians (No. 202 of the Second 

 Floor). 



