MUSEUM ORGANISATION 



irrationally, synonymous terms. The happy introduction and 

 general acceptance of the word " biology," notwithstanding the 

 objections raised to its etymological signification, have reunited 

 the study of organisms distinguished by the possession of the 

 living principle, and practically eliminated the now vague and 

 indefinite term "natural history" from scientific terminology. 

 As, however, it is certain to maintain its hold in popular 

 language, I would venture to suggest the desirability of 

 restoring it to its original and really definite signification, 

 J contrasting it with the history of man and of his works, and 

 of the changes which have been wrought in the universe by 

 his intervention. 



It was in this sense that, when the rapid growth of the 

 miscellaneous collections in the British Museum at Bloomsbury 

 v (the expansion of Sir Hans Sloane's accumulation in the old 

 Manor House at Chelsea) was thought to render a division 

 necessary, the line of severance was effected at the junction of 

 what was natural and what was artificial ; the former, including 

 the products of what are commonly called " natural " forces, un- 

 affected by man's handiwork, or the impress of his mind. The 

 / departments which took cognisance of these were termed the 

 "Natural History Departments," and the new building to 

 which they were removed the " Natural History Museum." 



It may be worth while to spend a few moments upon the 

 consideration of the value of this division, as it is one which 

 concerns the arrangement and administration of the majority 

 of museums. 



Though there is very much to be said for it, the objection 

 has been raised that it cuts man himself in two. The 

 illustrations of man's bodily structure are undoubtedly subjects 

 for the zoologist. The subtle gradations of form, proportion, 

 and colour which distinguish the different races of men, can 

 only be appreciated by one with the education of an anatomist, 

 and whose eye has been trained to estimate the value of such 

 characters in discriminating the variations of animal forms. 

 The subjects for comparison required for this branch of research 

 must therefore be looked for in the zoological collections. 



But the comparatively new science of " anthropology " 

 embraces not only man's physical structure; it includes his 



