A CRITIQUE ON MUSEUM SPECIMENS. 
37 
eral impression that tliere are a great many curious animals in 
the Mmrld. Of their natural surroundings, varied attitudes, 
curious habits, food and mode of procuring it, they have learned 
absolutely nothing^ and feel no great interest in visiting the col- 
lections again. Now, if the interest of these, the great majority 
of visitors, can be aroused they will re-visit the Museum, and 
gradually gain some idea of its purposes, and appreciate the fact 
that it is something more than a mere collection of animals. 
And to arouse this general interest, which is so conducive to the 
much needed popular support of our Museums, there seems, 
to me, no better wnvy than to improve in the style of Taxidermy. 
Gray’s Hand List is an invaluable book, but hardly adapted for 
popular reading, and most of our Museums are too much like 
Gray’s Hand List. There is a fashion in everything, even in 
Museums, and most of our scientists have become so used to the 
ordinary style of collections that it seems heterodox to depart 
from it. Two Museums, however, have ventured to dejiart from 
the beaten track, and one of these, at least, lays claim to some 
“ scientific pretension.” I refer to the British Museum, where 
the animals are now being arranged with great care as to natural- 
ness of attitude and surroundings, and wdiere such attention is 
given to accessories that as high as $10 has been paid for one 
artificial flowmr. The other Museum is that of Princeton College, 
under the charge of Mr. Scott, who allows no turned perches in 
the collection, and insists that the birds shall have as striking 
attitudes as possible. In fact, if I wmre to make a criticism it 
would be tha't in many cases the attitudes are exceptional and 
such as would rarely be assumed. The general effect is, however, 
excellent, and though many of the positions are odd, the eye 
never becomes wearied by a constant repetition of a given form. 
Let us hope that this rejection of a formal perch and adoption 
of varied and striking iioses may be followed by other institutions. 
