178 THE AMERICAN MUSEUM JOURNAL 



character that not only is the mount flawless in workmanship but it is fitted 

 also to endure unchanged for many years — fifty, one hundred, surely even 

 longer. For in this age of advanced experiment and knowledge such a 

 result alone justifies the money and effort. Still more important than money 

 and effort however, is the fact that the animal life of the globe in its wild 

 state, especially the large mammal life, is in very large part approaching 

 extinction because of the encroachments of civilization. For this reason, 

 museum records made to-day should be historical in that they embody 

 accurate knowledge in permanent form for the future. Also it chances that 

 the knowledge which can be put in the graphic form of groups is precisely 

 that part of zoological science which it is most important to-day to preserve 

 — namely, field knowledge or ecological records, the interrelationships of 

 any given race of animals with other races and with environment, which if 

 not gained in the near future will be lost forever. Collections are important 

 (and they too must be put into shape for enduring) and they must be made 

 in large series before too late. Work on them however, with the systematic, 

 anatomical and comparative results which in combination are of such 

 intrinsic value in the general body of science, will not be injured or lost by 

 delay. 



The demands of the time in the matter of ecological record are strong 

 upon museums and particularly upon the American Museum which aims in 

 so large a degree to put its information in graphic form because of the 

 enhanced educational value. Therefore that the opportunity seems at 

 hand when Mr. Akeley will give his power as a taxidermist to express his 

 large field knowledge of African mammals, is a triumph for science even in 

 greater degree than for taxidermy or for the development of the American 

 Museum. 



But there is a second requisite for the adequate mounting of animals. 

 It lies in a combination of the life and of art, a choice of life facts, positions, 

 relations such as can be set forth in accordance with what we recognize as 

 artistic effect. The taxidermist who can produce flawless and relatively 

 enduring technique is rare; the man who combines with these the second 

 requirement is still more rare. Mr. Akeley stands pretty much alone, far 

 and away the best taxidermist of the world. Quoting a critic of repute in 

 museum matters: "Mr. Akeley to the men who often bear the title of 

 taxidermist stands as Rodin and French to the cave artists." 



