﻿FIELD AND FOREST. 173 



There have been enterprises of the kind before, but they were re- 

 stricted to special departments, while in this one no branch of na- 

 tural history is neglected. The microscopic diatomacese as well as 

 the high sphere of man, are considered, and there is at present hardly 

 an academy of science which unites in so successful a manner so 

 many efficient workers in a common cause. 



The materials collected are placed in the hands of eminent speci- 

 alists for determination, and in order that the results of their examin- 

 ations might not be scattered in the various scientific journals, but 

 that a complete picture of nature in the Pacific might be presented, 

 Godeffroy founded a special publication, the "Journal des Mu- 

 seum God effroy," in which the observations of his travellers and the 

 elaboration of their collections are recorded. 



Among the many monographs which have appeared in its pages, 

 one by our countryman Garrett on the fishes of the Pacific, deserves 

 special mention. Captain Cook long ago spoke in glowing terms of 

 the beauty of the fishes among the coral reefs, and regrets that a 

 scene of such splendor should be hidden, where man is but seldom 

 able to admire it. When Garrett sent home a collection of water 

 color sketches from life, it was at once determined, without regard-to 

 the cost of the enterprise, to reproduce them in the Journal and the 

 plates are said to be unequaled for beauty of execution. 



When we bear in mind that the Museum Godeffroy is not a money 

 producing institution, but is sustained by the liberality of one man for 

 the advancement of science, and is open to all scientists who may de- 

 sire to study its rich collections, we must admire the noble manner in 

 which this modern Maecenas makes use of his wealth, and wish the 

 world knew more of them, Caesar Godeffroy's name is linked with 

 the story of the exploration of the islands of the Pacific Ocean, and 

 it may without exaggeration be asserted that it is mainly to him that 

 science owes its knowledge of that region. 



Passaic, New Jersey. Martin Eiche. 



Hints upon Skeleton Making. 



We are frequently asked how skeletons are prepared ; a simple 

 question, but not an easy one to answer without giving a lengthy pre" 

 amble on the preparatory process. Many persons seem to have an idea 



