THE PHYLETIC MUSEUM AT JENA 97 
however indispensable to keep open the subscription list 
still longer, to provide for properly arranging the interior 
of the Phyletic Museum ; and that its constantly increasing 
collection may be displayed in keeping with the original 
plan. Itis also necessary to provide a fund sufficient to 
furnish the means for conserving the collection of objects, 
and for payment of the requisite personal attendants. 
While to all friends and pupils, and to all patrons and 
promoters of natural science, who with counsel and labour 
have aided my undertaking, I return my heartiest thanks 
for their self-sacrificing support, I must also couple with 
my thanks the earnest request that their co-operation in 
the sacred cause of evolution may continue. We may not 
venture to reckon that a later generation, having no per- 
sonal touch with the founders of our Institute, from sheer 
bent of mind will undertake the management of our Museum 
for evolution lore. And yet, without good management, 
that Institute as a public, profitable, living force for 
culture, cannot continue; but, on the other hand, will sink 
down to a mere old-time dusty, dead natural-history cabi- 
net. In fact we must keep before our eyes the truth, 
proven by long experience, that a museum can retain 
vitality only by continuous growth, and by keeping in step 
with the elevating rapid unfolding of science. 
Since the prosperity of the German people has been so 
agreeably enhanced during the past thirty years, many 
millions have been yearly contributed to useful practical 
organizations for social and artistic purposes; and for 
sports and luxuries of many kinds. Amongst the million- 
aires of Germany, may there not be a few ready to give 
something additional to help forward the cause of evolu- 
tion, and its tributary Phyletic Museum? When we com- 
pare the colossal sums given for similar scientific purposes 
in England and in North America, and think of the splen- 
did museums established there by private endowments, with 
some confusion we must confess that, in this respect, our 
German people take a place in the rear ranks. 
