No. 482] CATALOGUING MUSEUM SPECIMENS 93 



(e. g. opossum, see Didelphys. Furthermore, the reference card 

 indicates the number of specimens of each species on exhibition, 

 or in storage, giving the number of the case or storage drawer in 

 which they are to be found. 



A single card will usually contain the data concerning all mate- 

 rial belonging to a particular species, consequently the time involved 

 in maintaining a Reference Catalogue is an unimportant item, the 

 data (except location of specimens) being readily obtainable at 

 any time from the Department Catalogue. 



The Reference Catalogue should be located in the principal 

 room containing the collections to which it refers, where it will 

 be readily accessible to each of the three classes of people for which 

 a museum primarily exists: (a) the specialist, (b) the amateur, 

 and (c) the general pubHc' 



One method for arranging the data for a reference catalogue, 

 is shown below (Fig. 3). 



Systematic Cross Reference Classification by means of Tabs.— 

 An excellent method which meets the usual rofniireinents, is that 

 of having the tabs arranged as in the l)('j);iriiii(Mit Catalogue. 

 Geographical cross reference by colors cannot l)c us(nl inasuiucli 

 as one card will often contain specimens from widely separated 



Name of specimens. — Both the scientific name and the common 

 name should be given, the former on the card containing the data, 

 the latter on a separate card referring to the generic or specific 

 name of the particular species, {e. g. Brook Trout, see SalvcliJius 

 fontinalis, Pickerel, see E.sox, various species). By placing the 

 common name on cards having a particular color they may be 

 readily distinguished. 



Department numbers. — Inasmuch as the department numbers 

 will be placed on all material, this will serve to establish the identity 

 of the specimen sought, and in ease further data is reipiired, the 

 corresponding number in the Dcpartincni Caialouiic can l)e con- 

 sulted. 



Character of Specimens. — In alcohol, niounicd, skt'lcton. skin, 



'See Bather, F. 1904. The Functions of a Museum; Ht-Survcy. Fop. 

 Sci. Mo., V. 64, p. 210-218. 



