Ht dby ¥ jang wet P epa ations of. 7 tA ae a 935 
a preparation bottle was a novelty, therefore an innovation, and 
consequently, was not adopted, And yet the preparations refer- 
red to stand in the midst of an extensive series of kindred struc- 
tures, all of which would be amazingly improved by this simple 
addition. ect 
In my estimation a back ground is of the greatest importance, 
and it forms an important part of my plan. With the black 
cement, sufficiently thinned with turpentine to form a paint, I 
coat that portion of the under surface of every preparation—great 
and small—that is not immediately beneath the object. 'T'wo 
or three coats of this paint form a beautiful black, which shows 
through the upper surface of the glass like highly polished mar- 
ble, for which substance it has frequently been mistaken.  Be- 
neath the preparation I place whatever color best contrasts with 
it, and for this purpose use paper for all colors but black ; some 
at pleasure, 
_ Preparation making is an art demanding much devotion and 
time to acquire. At present, museums are managed and con- 
trolled by men who believe that there is no better plan of pro- 
ceeding than to put specimens in a bottle with spirit although 
continue so long as it be the fashion to expend a great sum of 
Manipulating Bor.—So many little things are required in 
making preparations, that I determined some years ago to gather 
them together and contrive a box capable of holding a fair sup- 
Ply of tools and utensils for ordinary work. I drew plans of the 
several portions of what I considered to be necessary, similar to 
the details of fig. 13, and I had it made in ¢in as the lightest and 
Strongest material. The actual size of my box, outside measure, 
18 10 inches by 7, 34 inches high. No. 1 represents the box 
When open, No. 2, a movable tray of peculiar form, with three 
... Prepara tions in bottles with stopper shave their use, beyond that of mere ex- 
hibition in a museum; for scientific i estigation ee that the specim 
be taken from its bottle for particular examination and Eps. 
