CHAPTER III. 



ROOMS AND CASES. 



In a work intended for all classes of naturalists, no definite 

 rules can be laid down to govern in each case the construction 

 of the home of the collections. In many instances, the mu- 

 seum is a private one and is kept in a room of the dwelling 

 house ; between this and such immense collections as those 

 of the British Museum and the Jardin des Plantes, every 

 gradation may be found, each requiring peculiar accommo- 

 dations. 



In the case of private collections, a room should be se- 

 lected, if possible having a northern exposure, well lighted 

 and fitted up with conveniences suitable to the nature of the 

 specimens. The windows should be screened with curtains 

 of yellow "hoUand" as this color tends to exclude the ac- 

 tinic rays of light and to preserve the specimens from fading. 



For larger collections, such as are possessed by most col- 

 leges and many societies, more extensive accommodations are 

 necessary and a building should be especially devoted to 

 them. The average college museum building is but poorly 

 adapted for its purpose ; it is the result of consulting archi- 

 tects who know nothing of the requisites of such edifices. 



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