No. 421.] MUSEUM TECHNIQUE. 55 
methods of preservation and preparation, are gradually being 
replaced by properly prepared material, so that museums are con- 
stantly asking less of the fancy or imagination. 
The problem of preserving natural colors in alcoholic specimens is 
still unsolved, and yet the impressions which animal forms make on 
the eye, and through it on the understanding, depend much on color. 
It is not so much the task of our museums to preserve the natural 
color of an animal as to give it a lifelike appearance after the 
color has faded or has been lost. If for exhibition purposes we 
do this properly, our methods need not be questioned. To repre- 
sent absolutely true to nature an individual specimen, is in most 
cases as impossible as it is unnecessary; for even in nature the 
individuals of any species are not all made according to the same 
mould, but they differ from each other within certain limits, not less 
in color than in other characteristics. The problem of preserving 
natural colors is reserved for preserving liquids, as Wiese-liquid, 
which by means of its chemical action seems well adapted for this 
purpose. 
Preceding the opening of the Natural History Museum of Ham- 
burg, it was my wish so to exhibit fishes that they should appear as life- 
like as possible. The methods known to me up to that time did not 
appear favorable, so I began to think of something new. I did not 
believe fishes should be exhibited in a dry state, — vis., embalmed or 
stuffed, — nor in tall bottles, standing on head or tail, but that they 
should be in a horizontal position, seemingly swimming in a medium 
representing water. 
This was attained by means of oblong glass boxes filled with 
alcohol. It was then observed that the colors which gave the fish a 
true natural appearance were absent; this was to be helped only by 
painting, and accordingly an attempt was made with water colors 
which led to satisfactory results. It has so met the favorable judg- 
ment of visitors and professional men that I venture to believe 
myself in a position to commend this method as worthy of imitation. 
. In Bergen, Norway, the entire fish fauna has been set up in this way, 
and is very satisfactory. This method is also in use in the British Museum, 
as well as in German museums.! 
The method consists in painting the fish, preserved in alcohol, on 
one side with water colors, as nearly natural as possible; and then 
1The paragraphs in smaller type are from letters written to the author by 
Dr. Brün. 


