J. F. G. Stokes' Msit to American Miiseuiiis . ii 



of the space required, will never be exhibited in a satisfa(5tory 

 way. It was interesting to notice the similarity between some of 

 the discoidal stones from Georgia and Alabama, and the ulumaika 

 or bowling stones of the Hawaiians. The arrangement of the 

 exhibits was good, as far as the specimens themselves were con- 

 cerned, but great trouble was experienced in viewing them clearl}^ 

 owing to the darkness of the rooms — darkness due partly no doubt 

 to the dull weather then prevailing, but in a greater degree to the 

 building itself. 



The Zoological Park has been placed in a spot possessing 

 many natural advantages. It has been well arranged, and the 

 comfort of the installation and the convenience of the visitors 

 have been equally well attended to. The tank for the sea-lions 

 with its hollowed rock in the middle, was an example of the 

 careful planning of the place, and it was interesting to learn that 

 the waterfowl on the small circular lake had been domesticated 

 enough to begin to breed. Many rare animals and birds were 

 seen here — among the birds the Cereopsis novo'-hollanda' being rep- 

 resented by two specimens alive. Considerable time was spent in 

 the reptile house, where the Superintendent had been passing his 

 spare time in casting and coloring different American snakes, and, 

 for preserving the form, the advantage of snake casts over mounted 

 skins is undoubted. The coloring of casts requires much patience 

 and care in using the sombre shades. 



A very brief visit was paid to the Philadelphia Museum at the 

 Memorial Hall, Fairmount Park, containing many exhibits collected 

 during the Centennial Exposition, 1876, but, although many beau- 

 tiful things were seen, time was too limited for a close examination. 



I was much pleased with the artistic arrangement of the Free 

 Museum of Science and Art, and very interested in the theories of 

 the Curator, Mr. Stewart Culin. The museum was rich in archse- 

 olog}', containing many steles and altars from Central iVmerica, and 

 was also the depository for the collections made by the Babylonian 

 expeditions under Dr. Hilprecht. In the ethnological section Mr. 

 Culin's principles were rigidly adhered to, and it contained speci- 

 mens which form, metaphorically, links of a chain connedting many 

 widely separated countries. 



The opportunity was taken to visit the Philadelphia Commer- 

 cial Museum, an institution founded for the purpose of aiding the 

 American merchant when extending: his business to foreign coun- 



