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THE AMERICAN XATURALISr. [Vol. XXXVIII. 



Uintacrinus, the huge mount of Brontosaurus and the gigantic 

 yet life-like restoration of Claosaurus, besides numerous indi- 

 vidual specimens of invertebrates in all groups. Beecher was a 

 skilful photographer and Professor Hall published ^ his photo- 

 micrographs of brachiopod shell structure from slides also pre- 

 pared by him. Later he published himself photomicrographs of 

 the appendages of Triarthrus, exceptionally difficult subjects. 

 He was a skilful microscopist and made numerous preparations 

 of recent and fossil animals, especially noteworthy are his beau- 

 tiful preparations of the radulae of gastropods, sections of shells 

 of brachiopods, sections of corals, sponges, etc. His microscope 

 slides were always the perfection of neatness in finish. One 

 method he adopted is very valuable for appearance and conven- 

 ience. When sections had to be ground thin he did this on a 

 ground glass slide, when the cover glass was in place the balsam 

 filled the ground surface rendering it transparent, the ground 

 glass forming an attractive border to the slide. This method 

 obviates the necessity of transferring sections to a fresh slide, 

 which is usually done at some risk, for the sake of appearances. 



He took great interest in preparing models to illustrate struc- 

 ture, as shown in his models of the development and adult charac- 

 ters of loop-bearing types of brachiopods, his models of Triarthrus 

 showing structure, from the dorsal and ventral view, and his 

 restoration of the huge Devonian crustacean Stylonurus, measur- 

 ing five feet in length. The details of museum technique also 

 appealed to him strongly, so that he was a most able and success- 

 ful museum administrator, constantly devising methods to 

 improve the condition and accessibility of collections under his 

 charge. The exhibition rooms of the Yale Museum are a 

 graphic expression of his skill in selecting, preparing and exhibit- 

 ing collections of fossils. 



Beecher was fond of using mechanic's tools and as a relaxa- 

 tion did carpentering and cabinet work at the Museum or at his 

 home. Full of resources he had many interests outside of his 

 technical scientific work. 



Reft. N. Y. State Mus. Xat. Hist. 1884. ^ p. 73-75, pl- 3-4- 



