232 THE POPULAR SCIENCE MONTHLY 



As an attraction, one winter when the attendance was low, Peale 

 installed in one corner of the hall a man to cut silhouettes by a new 

 method. In one year 8,880 people carried away likenesses of them- 

 selves. After he retired, but particularly after his death, under the 

 direction of his sons this precedent that Peale himself established of 

 having attractions was increased, so that in its last years the institu- 

 tion became little more than a dime museum. 



In the library of the Pennsylvania Historical Society there is a 

 large blank book bound in whole calf entitled " Memoranda of the 

 Philadelphia Museum." This book contains a record of the donations, 

 accessions and exchanges between the years 1803 and 1837. An im- 

 pression that one gets from reviewing its pages is that of the enormous 

 amount of valueless material presented by travelers from Europe and 

 from farmers up in the state. This, however, is a common feature of 

 all museums; nothing offered must be refused, but, if of no value, 

 will find its way to the official rubbish heap. 



The library of the museum must have been of exceeding value. 



Every page records books bought or books received in exchange. As an 



exchange for specimens sent to Prance the museum received Buffon's 



works in five volumes. The following is a sample page showing tbe 



type of entry: 



Page 12 



1806 A Tropic Bird, 2 Frigates, 3 Eels which are said to wound very severe 



Feb. 17. and to attack people. Ship Geo. 'Washington by Capt." Farris. 



The natural history of British Insects with colored plates Vol. 1st 

 — octavo, — John Armond. 

 19. Fossil shell from Kentucky, they are found from 1 foot to 50 feet 

 below the surface of the earth in limestone. W. Chambers. 

 2 pieces hog skin, one inch and % in thickness, from the shoulder. 

 It was shot on the banks of the Ohio, in the spring of 1793 — William 

 Chambers. 

 21. The head of the Petrel F. V. Riviere. 

 21. Phaeton Athireus or tropic bird, female, F. V. Riviere. 



Lacerta Chamaeon, Chameleon, Isle of France — Cap." Farris. 



21. Skeleton of a Porcellaria Petrel. Samuel Coates. 



22. The Trumpet Fish from S. America — Peter Solee 



An Experimental Dissertation on the Rhus Vernix, Rhus Rodicans 

 and Rhus Globrum commonly known in Penn* by the names Poison 

 ash, Poison-vine, and common Sumach by Tho* Horsfield. 

 An Inaugural Dissertation on the warm Bath by Hen. Wil™ Lockette. 

 24. Viverra nasua Coata Mondi (alive) from South America Joseph 

 Baker. 



His Last Years 



Peale's early training and natural ingenuity enabled him to turn his 

 hand to anything ; this quality has been exaggerated by his biographers 

 and mere incidents pointed to as periods in his career. 



Peale's period of senescence may be said to date from the time he 



