1885.] | Editor’ Table. 149 
necessity of using more efficient methods or materials for preser- 
vation in future. While in the language of Professor Agassiz, 
“Undoubtedly many most interesting problems require large 
collections for their solution, the cost of maintaining” the col- 
lections of perishable specimens, “ may stagger the most enthu- 
siastic collector,” ‘‘ The function of a museum is without doubt 
to use its resources in the purchase and care of special collec- ‘ 
tions,” but at the same time, “ with the present facilities and cost of 
specialist with the necessary funds for such an investigation 
that of recent fishes); The general result of these 
opposing considerations is, that while there is no lim 
of institutions is more profitably e 
ists with facilities and fresh mate 
tion necessary as a preliminary tç ï 
of studying the coarser anatom eover, while distinctness 
p Save its reference collection as complete 
as circumstances pe * How to do this more perfectly and 
pine oblems of the day. 
object instruction to persons 
it. No measures will be 
