17 
COMMUNICATIONS. 
The following communications are submitted as being of general interest, 
WM. T. HORNADAY, Sec’y. 
Department of the Interior, 
Fisheries Division, Newport, R. I., 
August 6th, 1880. 
Dear Sir : It gives me great pleasure to accept the election to honorary mem- 
bership in the Society of American Taxidermists. I sympathize heartily with the 
members of the Society in their desire to raise the art of taxidermy in America to 
the highest standard of excellence. In the late Fisher}'^ Exhibition in Berlin much 
of the taxidermy in the American exhibit, both in the display of the National 
Museum and that of Professor Ward, was fully equal to the best examples to be 
found in the Museum at Berlin. I am sure that such a society as the one you have 
founded will do much towards stimulating study and experiment, and that by its 
means mechanical and artistic perfection in work of this class will be more nearly 
approximated than ever in the past. 
Yours, very respectfully, 
G. BROWN GOODE. 
Mr. Wm. T. Hornaday, Secretary of the Society of Afnerican Taxidermists, 
Rochester, N. Y. 
Museum of Comparative Zoology, ) 
Cambridge, Mass., June 28, 1880. ) 
William T. Hornaday, Secretary Society of American Taxidermists : 
My Dear Sir : In accepting an honorary membership of the Society of 
American Taxidermists, which your official letter of thp 25th informs me the Society 
has tendered me, I must first state that I make no claim to skill in the art of taxi- 
dermy, and for this reason have perhaps no right to the honor bestowed. * * * 
I appreciate good work in taxidermy, and am aware of the difficulties that stand in 
the way of success, and therefore shall be most happy to aid in any way in my 
power to elevate this art to a permanent and acknowledged position among the fine 
arts, one of which, in its possibilities and the skill it requires, it really is. 
The plan of operations laid down in the Constitution of the Society, it appears 
to me, if seconded by taxidermists at large, as it is to be hoped it will be, must 
stimulate effort toward the attainment of a high standard of excellence, and thus 
result in great good. 
Heartily wishing you success in your praiseworthy enterprise, I remain. 
Very faithfully yours. 
J. A. ALLEN. 
