Celebration of the Fiftieth Anniversary. Ixxi 



and well-arranged. The Chicago public school-teachers tell 

 me that Museum study notably increases the seriousness and 

 earnestness of their pupils, and what is more important per- 

 haps, after Museum study the pupils draw less fiction from 

 the Library and more works of natural history. In other 

 words, the Museum is the foe of the yellow-backed novel. 

 Sociologists tell us that a large amount of the evil of society 

 comes from a lack of broad outlook and of suitable occupa- 

 tion to fill up idle time. May we not believe that we have 

 in the Museum a means of overcoming evils of this character? 

 There no longer exists, I think, the idea that the Museum 

 is a place where a specialist can ensconce himself and study 

 his favorite bug to the exclusion of all else ; for efforts are 

 being made that the Museum shall become of all possible in- 

 terest to all classes of people. Sometimes, it is true, such 

 efforts are carried a little too far, as was shown when an 

 edict was passed by the British Museum that all scientific 

 names should be translated, but which was rescinded when it 

 was found that such names as Pygopterus Humboldti became 

 Humboldt's hind wing and that other similiar absurdities 

 were produced. Such things show us that a Museum cannot 

 descend too far from a dignified position, but it is also true 

 that the public is learning not to be repelled by such an atti- 

 tude, and to believe in, look up to and search out the 

 Museum. Instruction is, however, but one function of a 

 Museum. Another great function is that of preservation of 

 things that are passing. This is a function whose fulfill- 

 ment will be appreciated more in coming generations than in 

 our own. Had it been appreciated earlier, we would not have 

 had to go, as we must to-day, to London in order to see a 

 great mastodon which was dug up forty miles from St. Louis ; 

 or to Vienna to see a wonderful meteorite which fell a few 

 years ago in Arkansas. We used to think that we ought to 

 feel proud that London and Vienna were willing to exhibit 

 our curiosities, but I am happy to say we are getting over 

 that feeling. We have learned that there is no place like 

 home, and that the more we respect and esteem our owninstitu- 



