AMERICAN MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY. 



The Pillar Cards and general Labels in the cases give 

 detailed information about each group of fossils. 



The Synoptic Case in the centre of the middle aisle illus- 

 trates the method by which the fossils are collected and con- 

 veyed to the Museum. 



The Charts at each side of the entrance show the order in 

 which the rock strata lie, one over another, and the kinds of 

 fossils found in each stratum. 



WHAT THE EVOLUTION SERIES PROVE. 



Each series of specimens is arranged according to the age of the strata in 

 which they are found. This age is known by the order in which the strata lie 

 one over another. In all ordinary circumstances the unde.-lying stratum must 

 have been deposited first, the overlying one afterwards. In each stratum is 

 found most abundantly a particular species of a race of animals and all the 

 fossil specimens of that race ever fouijd in that stratum are like the said 

 species within quite narrow limits. Arranging the characteristic species from 

 each stratum in order of the age of the strata, we find that they show a regular 

 uniform change from the most ancient to the most recent. At no point in a 

 given series can we draw a line and say : This is, and that is not, a horse — 

 or a camel — or a rhinoceros. The visitor, therefore, can demonstrate for him- 

 self the Evolution of the race of Horses, or Camels or Rhinoceroses, within 

 certain limits. (Of the evolution of Man we have not satisfactory illustration 

 from fossils.) 



It should be observed that the evolution of a race consists mainly in the 

 adaptation of the structure of the animals to particular surroundings and habits 

 of life. There is also a universal progress in intelligence, the older animals 

 having relatively smaller brains. 



