338 PRACTICAL TAXIDEEMT. 



pictorially-monnted humming-birds labelled in tbis manner ! A 

 well-known naturalist and scientific zoologist, personally unknown 

 to me, to wbom I wrote, advised, as usual, the labels to be of 

 different colours as distinguisbing marks. I sent bim one of my 

 lists and cbarts, and be wrote : " I return tbe printed description 

 wbicb seems to me admirably calculated to convey instruction 

 in a becoming and sigbtly way. It is undoubtedly an advance 

 upon labelling." Again, a scientific gentleman of local celebrity 

 wrote an article on tbe museum, and did me tbe bonour to 

 especially note tbe substitute for labels. He says: "Affixed to 

 tbe front of eacb group case, and on a level witb tbe eye, is 

 a neatly-printed explanatory tablet, suitably framed, comprising 

 a list of tbe specimens (numbered), class, sub-class, order, 

 family, &c., witb tbeir scientific terms. Tbe literal interpretation 

 of tbese several terms is tben given. Tben follow tbe scientific 

 names, witb sex (wbere determined); and, lastly, tbe known 

 range of eacb species — a matter of acknowledged importance. 

 This is supplemented by an artistically-coloured cbart, repre- 

 senting eacb example (also numbered), in tbe corresponding 

 position wbicb it occupies in any given group case. Tbus is 

 conveyed, in a concise and intelligible form, all tbe information 

 wbicb can fairly be embodied in tbe limited space at comma,nd. 

 Anotber redeeming feature, consequent upon tbis instructive 

 and unique metbod, is tbe dispensing witb tbe formidable array 

 of labels mounted on unsightly coils of wire dotted about, 

 reminding one of tbe labels displayed in tbe sbop window of 

 a batter or baberdasber — 'Tbe Latest ll^ovelty,' 'New tbis 

 Season,' &c. They are not only obtrusive to tbe eye, but bave a 

 decided tendency to mar tbe neat effect and appropriate mounting 

 of tbe general collection, and materially interfere witb tbe sur- 

 roundings, outline, and beauty of tbe objects to wbicb tbey 

 are appended, and tbeir multiplied form only enhances tbis 

 confusion. Beside which, these labels are of necessity frequently 

 placed at such a height that, in order to decipher them, tbe 

 head of the observer needs to be perched on a neck somewhat 

 like the giraffe. So forcibly impressed am I with the soundness 

 and value of tbis newly-devised plan, that I am led to predict 

 that its adoption will sooner or later find favour among other 

 kindred institutions even of a larger growth." 



