252 PRACTICAL TAXIDEEMT. 



I propose now to give a few Mnts on groups, &c., not de- 

 scribing tlieir management, but merely giving a list of subjects. 

 First, let me say tliat in order of merit, m all arts connected 

 with the preservation of natural Mstory objects, I must, after 

 many years study, give tlie palm to tlie Germans, not only in 

 all matters connected witli artistic taxidermy, but in tlieir 

 elegant and truthful setting of beetles, their sensible setting 

 of lepidoptera, and their really beautiful method of making 

 skins of birds &c. Next come the French, then the English, 

 and lastly, the Americans. The Americans are the worst 

 simply because they adopt the crudest English methods of taxi- 

 dermy, with other bad habits of ours. I may say that I never 

 saw an artistic piece of work, nor a well made skin, coming 

 from America, unless done by a German or a Frenchman. I 

 believe, however, the European element is working wonders 

 amongst tbem, and reading Mr. Batty 's book (if he be a true 

 American), I was very favourably impressed with the signs 

 of progress contained therein, and I should not at all wonder 

 if soon our American friends " go ahead " and quickly leave 

 us behind. Professor Henry A. Ward, of Rochester, 'New York, 

 U.S.A., in a well-written article in one of his " Bulletins " sent to 

 me, has, since I wi'ote the above, confessed the great superiority 

 of European over American taxidermists, but says that within 

 the last few (very few) years, their native taxidermists have 

 greatly improved, owing to the importation of clever foreign 

 artists, who are gradually educating the American workmen. 

 Just before this there was an entertaining article in the 

 " Century " magazine, and illustrations were given showing the 

 best work of the American taxidermic artists. I must say, 

 however, that, unless the draughtsman failed to copy what 

 an educated eye looks for, none of this work struck me as being 

 of a high order — one or two " pieces," indeed, being decidedly 

 capable of improvement. Possibly this improvement has taken 

 place by now; anyway, I heartily wish Brother Jonathan 

 good luck in his taxidermic studies. At present, however, I 

 say to all rising taxidermists, follow the lead of the Germans — 

 tbey are true artists ; and with the Italian modelling and 

 French neatness of workmanship to fall back on, success is 

 certain. 



