32 NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 



The remarks thus far made have especial reference only to the 

 large south hall of the Museum. The efforts that have thus far 

 been made herein toward installation have been supplemented by 

 the accumulation and setting of the geological relief maps of which 

 the Museum has now a considerable number and which it is hoped 

 to supplement. The final determination of the arrangement of these 

 relief maps has not yet been reached, but the walls of the halls 

 afford reasonably favorable exposure for them and for such photo- 

 graphic illumination and similar decorative effect as may seem 

 suitable. 



Zoology. The cases for the Zoology Hall were not completed 

 until the very end of the fiscal year, and as a consequence but little 

 work has been possible in the matter of installing the extensive 

 zoological collections. These cases number in all 43 and are 

 divided into two series, one for the exhibition in zoology proper 

 and the other for the exhibition in entomology, the two series of 

 cases being of quite distinct types. In large measure the cases 

 for the Zoology Hall are of conspicuous size and the installation in 

 them of such groups as the large mammals will require much labor, 

 artistic rendering and corresponding expense. From the old Mu- 

 seum was brought a limited number of small mounted groups, many 

 of which have had to be repaired on account of the jolting received 

 in moving. Among these also was one large group which has been 

 entirely reset, and these few constitute all the mounted groups 

 now in Zoology Hall. There remains, therefore, a very large 

 amount of work to be done here, and if it is to be effectively 

 done, it must be by the hands of expert workmen, who have not 

 only ideas of scientific accuracy, but artistic conception and manual 

 skill. Such men are not easy to find but the effort is being made 

 to acquire the services of the highest g^rade in order that there 

 may be no sacrifice of effectiveness in this hall. Meanwhile the in- 

 stallation of individual specimens of the higher mammalian and 

 avian fauna has gone forward and at this time the case room avail- 

 able seems to be adequate for the immediate purposes of this 

 division. It is, however, perfectly evident that this hall is now 

 so full of cases that additions will be difficult and, if necessary, 

 can not fail to close up the narrow aisles and aggravate the present 

 obviously crowded condition. The members of the staff charged 

 with this work are few in number and it will probably be neces- 

 sary for a long time to come to go outside and employ the requisite 

 expert assistants in ordering the zoological groups. 



