PLAN FOR AN EDUCATIONAL EXHIBIT OF FISHES. 1 323 



To him the exhibit should appeal somewhat as an enlarged text-book, with object 

 lessons for illustrations. It is to the elementary student, therefore, that the 

 systematic arrangement is primarily directed — though it doubtless has its uncon- 

 scious effect of orderliness upon the casual visitor as well — and the labels which 

 bring out this classificatory side are aimed more directly at the student's under- 

 standing. Such are the labels indicating the larger groups, and especially the 

 descriptive case labels defining the orders and suborders (see fig. 4, p. 1324). 

 As these are based on anatomical features, especially those of the skeleton, they 

 are necessarily more technical. An attempt, however, has been made to 

 simpHfy them as much as possible, and to eliminate or explain technical terms. 

 These labels also endeavor to bring out the phylogenetic relationship of the 

 larger groups. 



Accessory labels are freely used (fig. 5, p. 1325) to illustrate special features 

 of biological interest. 



(2) The alcove arrangement. — This is really an adaptation of the preceding 

 method to a museum hall lighted by many windows from the side, thus permit- 

 ting the cases to be placed alcove fashion with their ends to the windows, as 

 in figure 6, page 1326. With this arrangement, instead of having a solid back, 

 the cases are provided with glass on both sides, while a solid partition is 

 constructed midway between, thus making it possible to utilize both sides of 

 the case, in two adjoining alcoves. 



The partition is covered with a colored fabric, e. g., blue denim, as in the 

 preceding arrangement, and is framed in at top, bottom, and sides by light 

 boards (fig. 7, p. 1327) incHned at an angle of about 45 degrees and wide enough 

 to slant from the partition to the front edge of the case area, thus giving a 

 beveled or countersunk effect. These inclined surfaces are covered with the 

 same material as the partition and may be utilized for accessory labels, dia- 

 grams, etc. The bottom incline may also be utilized for such specimens as 

 flatfishes, which would appear out of place when hung on a vertical surface. 



