6 The National Collection 



In America, museums generally are treating the Order Ungiilata merely 

 as an integral part of the great living world, which is not to be unduly exploited 

 at the expense of other zoological groups of equal scientific importance. In the 

 zoological parks and gardens, the limitations upon the collections of hoofed 

 animals are numerous, and it is possible to procure and exhibit only a few rep- 

 resentative species, which as far as possible must typify the whole vast series. 



Nevertheless, the desire to behold complete collections of large-game 

 specimens springs eternal in the human breast. The wish for a comprehen- 

 sive and all-embracing exhibit of the world's horn-bearing animals is both 

 natural and legitimate. To us, the logical sequence of the situation is a na- 

 tional collection of heads and horns, as fine and as nearly complete as Ameri- 

 can sportsmen and travelers can make it, located in the New York Zoological 

 Park, and owned and maintained in perpetuity by the New York Zoological 

 Society. 



A survey of the ways and means that are available for the attainment of 

 such an end quickly leads to the conclusion that a well-considered plan, properly 

 inaugurated and diligently pursued, would lead to a successful result. There 

 is reason for the belief that a collection founded on lines sufficiently broad and 

 dignified to command the respect of the sportsmen of America, would receive 

 from them active support sufficient to guarantee its ultimate success. A collec- 

 tion so large, so rich in fine specimens, and so nearly complete in species as to 

 command national and international respect, surely would possess sufficient 

 zoological value to make its existence and its increase well worth while. There 

 are few, if any, American sportsmen who will not welcome the idea of a great 

 national collection of ungulate heads and horns which in time will rank with 

 the best collections of Europe. 



Naturally, in the founding of such a collection, the standards must be 

 fixed high, and the conditions of admission must be reasonably severe. No 

 specimen should be accepted without a specific reason to justify its presence. 

 Perhaps the first great object to be sought should be zoological completeness. 

 That once attained, mediocrity should be weeded out, and the average of excel- 

 lence should constantly rise. 



There should be two series of specimens, both of which eventually should 

 be made complete. The first should be zoological, the second geographical, 

 and each should command an abundance of space. The first should be arranged 

 in accordance with the system of Nature, to show evolution and relationships. 

 Dull indeed is the imagination which can not foresee the intense interest which 



