54 NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 



In other exhibits there are displayed series of articles illustrating 

 the graphic art and carving among the New York aborigines. In 

 this exhibit it has been possible to depict the decorative art and 

 to illustrate the various geometric forms understood by the primi- 

 tive artist, the various types of surface decoration, such as by 

 polishing, by pitting, by natural color and by cross hatching. A 

 series of articles used in the procuring of food is one of the interest- 

 ing exhibits. These objects are mostly archeological in character 

 and bear unmistakable. evidences, which make it possible to deduce 

 the uses postulated. 



This brief summary indicates in a general way that the archeo- 

 logical collection is arranged with a definite purpose and with a 

 studied idea of giving it a teaching value in several different lines, 

 and by such a method that comparison is possible. It is the inten- 

 tion to continue the plan still further by adding maps, photographs 

 and transparencies, and special labels. 



The physical method of display on card mounts has met with 

 widespread commendation by museum men throughout the country. 

 Before the exhibition was arranged the archeological division made 

 a study of the methods of display in museum cases and after con- 

 sulting with curators in several large museums, concluded that most 

 museum cases were far too greatly crowded to appeal to the 

 average visitor. It was therefore planned to display each specimen 

 where it wotild be individually seen and properly understood 

 through a descriptive label. The color of the background upon 

 which the specimen rested was also considered in conjunction with 

 the color and size of the descriptive label. In installing the col- 

 lections the desire has been to make a pleasing display which may 

 be easily seen without tiring the eye and which at the same time 

 will be highly instructive. The ultimate plan calls for a descriptive 

 booklet to be attached by a chain or cord to the outside of each 

 case. This plan therefore makes it possible to study a specimen 

 through the general descriptive label found in each case, through 

 the individual label attached to the specimen mount, the informa- 

 tion contained in the guide book to the hall and through a specially 

 prepared book found attached to the case itself. 



Ethnological collection. The use of the eastern mezzanine floor 

 in the Museum for the hall of archeology has left free for the 

 ethnological collections the long upper mezzanine hall in the west 

 end of the building. In this hall the State Architect prepared a 

 set of plans for the cases for the ethnological tribal groups. Space 

 is left at the west end for a special hall in which there may be 



