144 HISTORICAL SKETCH OF THE 



that moved the minds of the Curators in selecting rooms for the collections was that of 

 obtaining such as would meet the requirements of each department without reference to 

 the rest. Thus it happened that those brought in contact had no relation to each other, 

 and others closely allied by nature, were far remote in location. On the lower floor, 

 where are two exhibition rooms, one was appropriated to Botany, the other to Geology, 

 whilst the department of Minerals, which should have had a place with that of Geology, 

 and immediately preceding it, was far away in another part of the building. 



To act upon the advanced views expressed by the Custodian upon the arrangement of 

 the departments in consecutive series, a radical change was necessary, involving great ex- 

 pense, particularly in the reconstruction of cases, so that there might be a proper adapta- 

 tion of them to new uses. Perhaps it was fortunate that as constructed originally, none 

 of them were fit for the purposes designed. They were, undoubtedly, as suitable as those 

 generally then found in Museums, but experience had taught the Curators that there was 

 a necessity for much better, if the collections were to be saved from ruin. This fact made 

 it easier to accomplish the radical change in arrangement desired on scientific considera- 

 tions, as it was seen that the necessary expenditure would accomplish a double object. 

 There was no intention to do all or much at once, towards effecting the change, but only 

 to establish the policy of placing the collections in such consecutive order as suggested, 

 and act upon it as time and means would allow. The President heartily approved of the 

 change. He was strongly averse to encroaching on the principal of the property of the 

 Society for any but the most weighty reasons, but he regarded the end to be attained as 

 fully justifying the means, and he gave the policy of re-arrangement of the Museum all 

 the individual and official influence he could bring to bear in its support. 



Besides the re-arrangement of the several departments, the proposed plan contemplated 

 the formation of separate New England collections in each, and an epitome collection of 

 the organic sections of the Museum, containing the types of the vegetable and animal 

 kingdoms, classified to show the approximations of the lower, and the great differences of 

 the higher orders of each, with the zoological succession of the types of each. It will be 

 seen in the remaining pages of this volume how steadily the policy was adhered to of 

 effecting the object mentioned, and how gradually but surely the great work was accom- 

 plished ; although not without opposition, and not without the manifestation of unpleasant 

 feeling on the part of some who failed to recognize the wisdom of what was proposed. 

 This was to be expected, even on the part of members devoted to the interest of the Society. 

 The Custodian indicated his appreciation of this in the following remarks upon the plan 

 submitted. 



" The difficulties to be encountered in carrying out the details of any scheme, will be 

 great or small, precisely in proportion to the feeling which governs the officers entrusted 

 with its execution. If a broad, catholic spirit of consideration for the interests of the 

 Museum obtains, there need be no doubt of its ultimate success. On the other hand, if 

 regard for the interests of any special departments is allowed to interfere with the 

 uniform arrangements and proper scientific use of the whole Museum, no very beneficial 

 results can be anticipated." The course pursued has, it is believed, received the commen- 

 dation of all naturalists who have made themselves acquainted with it, and witnessed 

 the results. 



