A PLEA FOR NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUMS. 649 



That the formation of such collections, both living, in zoological and botani- 

 cal gardens, and dry, in cabinets and cases, is practicable is capable of easy demon- 

 stration. As has already been intimated, this State abounds in specimens which 

 are prized and solicited by curators of museums, collectors, and students in all 

 parts of the United States. Many private collections of great value have been 

 accumulated here, almost entirely by the efforts of the individual owners, with 

 but little expense and less outside assistance. The richest of these have been in 

 the line of Indian relics, in which this State is remarkably rich, yet its wealth has 

 been but very imperfectly explored ; also of fossils, minerals and plants. Un- 

 fortunately for the credit and welfare of our State, some of the most valuable col- 

 lections found here have gone to enrich eastern museums on both sides of the 

 Atlantic. They should have been kept here and could have been, had they been 

 properly appreciated. With a full supply of home material, and sufficient assist- 

 ance in preparing it for scientific use, duplicates can easily be exchanged for val- 

 uable material in abundance from other collections from distant localities repre- 

 senting forms which are not to be found here. Unfilled applications for speci- 

 mens from this locality, with tempting offers in exchange, are constantly in pos- 

 session of both professional and amateur collectors here. Systematic collections 

 and cabinets, labeled and arranged with care, are always to be purchased for a 

 reasonable sum. These range in price from that of Ward's magnificent collection 

 of casts, representing most of the extinct animals and plants that have inhabited 

 the earth, costing thousands of dollars, to choice cabinets of birds at a cost of 

 fifty to three hundred dollars, even to fine suites of shells, minerals, plants, etc., 

 for a dollar or more. Expeditions can also be fitted out at moderate expense 

 which will rapidly increase the material needed. 



Friends of such a museum and of science can readily be induced to present 

 collections of large or small amount, obtained by purchase or otherwise. This 

 will vastly augment the pleasure and profit they derive from the museum, and 

 their pride and interest in it, as well as its facilities for contributing to the pleas- 

 ure and profit of the community at large. It is interesting to see how contagious 

 is the spirit and practice of contributing to a gobd cause. One can easily pro- 

 voke others to good works. And the possession of a considerable nucleus is al- 

 most sure to attract donations in greater number, illustrating the doctrine of 

 Scripture — and of human nature as well — that '^ to him that hath shall be given," 

 and demonstrating the truth of the trite maxim that "nothing succeeds like suc- 

 cess." . 



