The Improvements effected in Modern Museums. 17 



species in a special case (to be placed either on shelves or tables, 

 or in wall cases, as may be found most appropriate, or as the 

 special purpose for which each case is prepared and exhibited 

 may seem to require). 



" But instead of each case, as of old, containing only a single 

 specimen, it should embrace a series of specimens, selected and 

 arranged so as to present a special object for study ; and thus 

 any visitor looking at a single case only, and taking the trouble 

 to understand it, would carry away a distinct portion of know- 

 ledge, such as, in the present state of our arrangements, could 

 only be obtained by the examination and comparison of specimens 

 distributed through distant parts of the collection. 



" Every case should be distinctly labelled with an account of the 

 purpose for which it is prepared and exhibited ; and each speci- 

 men contained in it should also bear a label, indicating why it is 

 there placed. 



" I may be asked, "Why should each series of specimens be con- 

 tained in a separate case ? but I think it must be obvious that a 

 series cf objects, exhibited for a definite purpose, should be 

 brought into close proximity, and contained in a well-defined 

 space, and this will best be done, by keeping them in a single and 

 separate case There is also the additional advantage, that when- 

 ever, in the progress of discovery, it becomes desirable that the 

 facts for the illustration of which the case was prepared, should 

 be exhibited in a different manner — this can easily be done by re- 

 arranging the individual case, without interfering with the 

 general arrangement of the collection. I believe that the more 

 clearly the object is defined, and the illustrations kept together, 

 the greater will be the amount of information derived from it by 

 the visitor, and the interest he will feel in examining it. 



" Such cases may be advantageously prepared to show — 



The classes of the animal kingdom. 



The orders of each class. 



The families of each order. 



The genera of each family. 



" The sections of each genus, by means of one or more typical 

 or characteristic examples of each class, order, or section. 



" A selection of a specimen of each of the more important or 

 striking species of each genus or section. 



" The changes of state, sexes, habits, and manners of a well- 

 known, or an otherwise interesting species. 



"The economic uses to which they are applied, and such other 

 particulars as the judgement and talent of the curator would 

 select as best adapted for popular instruction, and of which these 

 are only intended as partial indications. 



" No one, I think, who has ever had charge of a Museum, or 

 who has noted the behaviour of the visitors while passing through 

 C 



