OUTLINE FOR AN EDUCATIONAL EXHIBIT OF FISHES. 



By FREDERIC A. LUCAS. 



Curator in Chief, Museum, oj the Brooklyn Institute of Arts and Sciences. 



An educational exhibit of fishes is one that will convey to the average visitor 

 an idea of the distinctive characters and anatomical structure of this zoological 

 group and its larger divisions, and also afford information as to the appearance, 

 special modifications, and, so far as possible, habits of typical members of these 

 subdivisions. 



First of all should be shown examples of the lancelet, lampreys, ostra- 

 cophores, sharks, and one of the bony fishes, to show the various classes of 

 vertebrates embraced in the term "fishes." This part of the exhibit should 

 include, so far as possible, skeletons of these forms, accompanied by diagrams 

 and explanatory labels, to make clear the characters of the various groups 

 represented and illustrate the meaning of Acrania, Craniota, and Gnathostomata. 



Then should come specimens showing the resemblances and differences 

 between Elasmobranchii and Teleostomi, as well as the peculiarities of their 

 skeletal, nervous, circulatory, and digestive systems. These series should pref- 

 erably be displayed side by side, and should include not only actual specimens 

 but drawings and models, especially in cases where the natural objects are so 

 small as not to be readily seen. Here should be shown dissections of the arterial 

 and nervous systems, and enlarged, explanatory models of more important 

 details. For example, a dissection would show the relation of the heart to the 

 gills and a model the structure and peculiarities of the heart. 



Emphasis should be laid on the more apparent and more important char- 

 acters, since as this exhibit is for the general public it should not go too much into 

 details or attempt to display and explain characters not readily comprehended; 

 such matters are for books and for the student. 



The exhibits just described are intended to serve as a preface or introduction 

 to the systematic series of fishes and should stand by themselves in order to be 

 the more readily understood. 



The more evident characters of the subclasses and orders are to be shown 

 in connection with these divisions or groups in the systematic exhibit; at the 

 same time a good-sized chart or diagram illustrating the relations of fishes to 



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