CASES AND MOUNTS FOR ENCLOSING SPECIMENS 411 



sides, and top, and a wooden back, over which is strained paper 

 of a delicate grey tint, similar to that used for tablets for speci- 

 mens in every department. This seems to confine the attention 

 to the object to be observed, does not interfere with the colours 

 of the specimens or of the modelled foliage, rather enhancing 

 the effect, indeed, and when the cases are deep, as all should be, 

 the grey seems to fade into nothingness, and the eye is only 

 conscious of a sense of restfulness. Another very great advan- 

 tage, where space is a consideration, is that one can back the 

 other, and, standing on a table or " stand," will accommodate 

 two sets of observers — one on each side. Probably, unless 

 they are placed lengthwise with the wall -cases, they may not 

 give the room such an airy aspect. 



Cases for fishes have often a " sprung " or bowed glass 

 fitted to the front, and this style renders glass ends unnecessary, 

 whilst giving a somewhat more " dressy " appearance. 



Glass shades, round, oval, and square, to be procured at 

 certain glass -dealers, are much more expensive than cases, 

 especially if of any size. They are mainly used by profes- 

 sional taxidermists, and suit many objects very well, but, unless 

 very large and of a square shape, are entirely out of place 

 in a museum. When very large, however, their prices are 

 cumulative and very high, and must seriously affect the 

 profits of professionals ; and to give some idea of this phase 

 of the question, there is, or was, a large group of birds of 

 paradise in Riber Castle, the glass shade for which alone 

 cost £li. 



The ordinary "mounts'' are of several varieties. First 

 there is the round, which is often evolved from a glass shade 

 which has been broken lower down, and so cut to save the 

 top. Again, there are large convex clock-glasses, and yet 

 again " rings," which are cut of varying depths from shades, 

 and on which are cemented flat plates of glass cut to their 



