MUSEUMS FOR THE PEOPLE 



and some geological models on a large scale, built up in 

 separate layers to show the actual position of the stratified 

 rocks in some district not far removed from the museum, 

 would give a more accurate notion of the geological 

 structure of the earth than could be obtained by any 

 number of maps and descriptions. In the same way 

 the extent of the ice during the glacial period in the 

 north of England might be shown, by movable layers of 

 white cement or papier-mache, while very large-scale 

 models of portions of the same area might show the 

 results of the ice-action in the rounded and smoothed 

 rocks, the moraines and the deposits of boulder-clays, as 

 well as the erratic blocks coloured to show the parent-rock 

 from which they had been brought by the ice and with 

 lines to show, the course they had travelled. Ice-ground 

 boulders from the moraines and slabs showing glacial 

 striae and polish should also be exhibited, with special 

 models of remarkable perched blocks and erratics, moraines 

 and extensive striated rocks. Clearly printed labels 

 should explain how these various objects enable us 

 to determine with considerable accuracy the height to 

 which different areas were buried in ice and the directions 

 in which it flowed. By these various illustrations the 

 reality and the marvellous character of the Great Ice Age 

 would be brought home to all intelligent visitors, and 

 would so interest them that they would long to see the 

 proofs of it in some glaciated country which they could 

 reach by a holiday excursion ; and the evidences of ice- 

 action are so widely spread over all the northern and 

 western portions of our islands that for most persons the 

 opportunity could without difficulty be found. 



Mineralogy. — A series of the most important and 

 best marked minerals should be exhibited, with tables 

 and diagrams explaining the principles of their classifica- 

 tion. Their number should not be too large, and every 

 specimen should be accompanied by a label containing a 

 brief account of all that is most interesting connected 

 with it — its chemical constitution, its affinities, its distri- 

 bution, and its uses. Combined with this collection there 

 should be a series of specimens illustrating the mode 



