SCIENCE. 
37 
SATURDAY, JULY 24, 1880. 
THE SOCIETY OF AMERICAN TAXI- 
DERMISTS. 
BY WM. T. HORNADAY. 
It is high time that the art of taxidermy should 
receive a new impetus from some source, if it is ever 
to rise above the level of an undignified, and rather 
unattractive trade. It is by no means universally 
looked upon as a fine art, it is certainly not patron- 
ized as such, and, until it is developed to a far higher 
state of perfection than it is at present, we are by no 
means sure it deserves to be. At present most tax- 
idermists are fiercely jealous of each other and outsid- 
ers, and guard their little knowledge as a miser hoards 
his gold ; and yet not a single taxidermist in America 
earns a competence, and no other position when once 
lost in one place is so hard to obtain in another. 
Taxidermists are agreed upon one point, and only 
one, viz. : that their art is one requiring as much 
anatomical knowledge and executive skill as either 
painting or sculpture, while each man, with but few 
exceptions is firmly convinced past all argument that 
his work is equalled by few and surpassed by none. 
At present, taxidemy is not a popular art ; as a pro- 
fession, it is remunerative to the select few only, and 
even to those in a very moderate degree. But 
such results are but merited, and for this tax- 
idermists have themselves to thank. If painters and 
sculptors had always been as narrow-minded, jealous, 
and absurdly exclusive of their knowledge as we have 
ever been (with but few exceptions) their art would 
stand no higher to-day than ours. I have known of 
taxidermists, who, when visited by other members of 
the profession, would invariably stop working the mo- 
ment the visitor appeared and remain idle during his 
entire stay even though their specimen spoiled. Such 
men must think they are the only taxidermists in the 
world. 
A great artist of any other description is ever ready 
and anxious to learn, even from the meanest sources 
sometimes; but your taxidermist soon knows too 
much to be taught anything by anybody, and to offer 
him any advice, or make an unfavorable criticism is 
to insult him. As a rule he refuses to teach his art 
to anyone, save at most fabulous prices. As a result 
of all this, taxidermy is not a popular art and not a 
tithe of its capabilities have yet been developed. 
Taxidermists have never combined to build up their 
art; from the very foundation, there have been no ex- 
hibitions, no well directed competition, no intelligent 
verdict as to the merits of this man or that, no inter- 
change of ideas, no general and hearty dissemination 
of knowledge bearing upon this subject. The know- 
ledge of the art is confined to a few, and so is the 
patronage. 
The Society of American Taxidermists, the first of 
the kind ever organized, has been formed for the 
President, Frederic S. Webster ; Secretary, Wm. T. Hornaday. Office 
of the Secretary, ig Rowley St., Rochester, N. Y. 
avowed purpose of developing the art of taxidermy, 
and elevating it to the position it should occupy be- 
side the kindred arts of painting and sculpture. It 
has been formed not for the benefit of a few indi- 
viduals, but with the higher, broader purpose of devel- 
oping the possibilities of the art, and raising it to the 
level of a dignified and justly remunerative profession. 
Its members are practical, determined men who enter 
upon the work before them with all professional jeal- 
ousy laid aside, and with the determination to work 
as one man. They propose to diffuse as widely as 
possible a correct knowledge of the methods em- 
ployed in taxidermy, and by their work to create in 
the public a proper appreciation of their art as such. 
They believe that by combination, sharp but well 
regulated competition, and a few years of patient, 
earnest work and self improvement they will, in a 
measure, accomplish their object. 
The Society has been started by the professional taxi- 
dermists in Prof. Ward’s famous establishment at Ro- 
chester, N. Y., and already includes many well-known 
specialists in every branch of the art. It has received 
most cordial letters of encouragement and endorsement 
from such eminent scientists and patrons of taxidermy 
as Prof. Henry A. Ward, of Rochester, Prof. J. A. 
Allen, of Cambridge, Dr. Elliott Coues, of the Smith- 
sonian Institution, and Dr. G. E. Manigault, of Char- 
leston, S. C. Each of the above-mentioned gentle- 
men is an Honorary Member of the society. 
The organization is steadily attracting candidates 
for membership from various parts of the United 
States, liberal minded professionals, and ambitious and 
enterprising amateurs who are only too glad of so fair 
an opportunity to follow up an attractive art. 
The Society is to be national in all respects, and it 
is to be hoped it will yet wield an influence which will 
be felt in foreign countries. Indeed its members look 
forward to the day when there may be held under its 
auspices in this country a grand international exhibi- 
tion of works in taxidermy. 
The Society proposes to hold its first annual meet- 
ing and exhibition in the city of Rochester, on or 
about Dec. 20th of this year, at which a corps of 
carefully selected judges shall critically examine the 
objects in the exhibition and award the honors. Of 
course the judges will not be ordinary members of the 
society, and absolute fairness will be guaranteed. The 
objects entered for the exhibition will be divided into 
the following classes, which embrace work in every 
branch of the art: 
A. TAXIDERMY PROPER. 
First — Stuffed mammals, birds, reptiles and fishes, 
in groups. 
Second — Single specimens. 
Third — Heads. (Special attention is requested to 
the artistic arrangement of heads, especially those of 
small animals). 
Fourth — Skins of all kinds. 
Fifth — Crustaceans, in groups. 
B. MISCELLANEOUS OBJECTS. 
First — Animals grotesquely mounted. 
Second — Ornamental articles, in which only por- 
tions of an animal are used, as fans, feather work, 
fire screens, rugs, footstools, etc. 
