BIOGRAPHICAL NOTES 



REPOET OF THE JURIES, 1851. 



The number of British exhibitors is thirteen. Of these the 

 following deserve especial notice. A. D. Bartlett (291, p. 817) 

 exhibits an ingenious example of the art in the constructed 

 figure of the Dodo — a bird which was once a native of Mauritius, 

 and found there in considerable numbers at the beginning of 

 the last century, but now, as far as is known, entirely extinct. 

 The drawings of Savery, preserved in the Belvedere at Vienna, 

 and in the Eoyal Gallery at Berlin, and some remains of a 

 skeleton formerly in the collection already alluded to, of Elias 

 Ashmole, consisting now but of the head and one foot, are the 

 data from which the figure has been compiled. Tlie process is 

 of course very different from that of preserving a real animal, 

 the skeleton and skin of wliich are entire ; an artificial body has 

 to be constructed and then covered, feather by feather, with 

 such plumage as is most in accordance with our knowledge of 

 the bird. This has been very skilfully executed, and the result, 

 by the testimony of Mr. Strickland and of Mr. Gray of the 

 British Museum, "represents with great accuracy the form, 

 dimensions and colour of the Dodo, as far as these character- 

 istics can be ascertained from the evidences which exist," whilst 

 it " does great credit to Mr. Bartlett's skill and to his practical 

 acquaintance with the structure of birds." 



There are other specimens exhibited by Mr. Bartlett which 

 are perhaps moi-e attractive, inasmuch as they represent nature 

 with a fidelity of which all can judge. The pair of Impeyan 

 Pheasants, entitled " Courtship," and the sleeping Ourang-utang, 

 " Kepose," are especially deserving of notice. The fleshy parts 

 of the latter have been very skilfully treated ; and the dried 

 and shrivelled appearance which they so often assume is entirely 

 avoided. 



The skeleton of the Ourang-utang has been preserved and also 

 the ^'iscera ; the whole forming an example of the manner in 

 which rare specimens should be dealt with in order to secure 

 accurate information to the naturalist, and to promote the 

 advancement of science. 



Lid of Awards. 

 A. D. Bartlett, Great College Street, Camden Town (Class 

 xxix. 291, p. 817), prize medal for a model of the Dodo, and 

 several excellent examples in the higher branches of taxidermy. 



