ADDRESS OF Dr. J. B. HOLDER. 
Friends of our Art: We hail the present as the auspicious 
period of its history. The presence here of so many apprecia- 
tive persons verifies most fully the accepted estimate of its 
value. Add to this the wondrous contributions seen at every 
turn in this sumptuous Exposition, and we may safely leave to 
futurity the destiny of such an art. 
Taxidermy is now clearly accorded its legitimate rank ; we 
now realize a consummation of hopes and desires that is the 
natural outcome of an enlightened conception of its possibilities ; 
and — ^let us he just — this greatly through the genius of a few art- 
inspired and earnest laborers in the field. 
That taxidermy has long been regarded as embracing some of 
the better elements of plastic art is true, but, in the nature of 
things, genius “ came tardily on.” The one who conceives a 
form of life, and desires to express it materially, seizes on such 
substance as most happily responds to his manipulations. The 
yielding clay offers a ready means. The student of art, or the 
tyro whose “ itching palm ” seeks some respondent material 
for his first essay, chances to select some furred or feathered 
skin, in lieu of the inorganic clay, less suggestive of life. The 
result in either case is an imitation more or less close to nature. 
To mould the form and express the action — all beyond depends 
on natural gifts and earnest study and practice. 
W e have seen the rising tide that brought the art to a success- 
ful recognition. We have seen that genius scorns not to ply in 
equal estimation the scalpel and forceps, the moulding-stick and 
chisel. 
There is now distinctly before the student a glorious pathway, 
all honorably trodden from the earliest of man’s enlightenment, 
and which now seems to enlarge its boundaries, and, perhaps, to 
divide, indicating a road as yet lightly worked by a few intelli- 
gent laborers, but which offers also an honorable career and 
possibilities, promising and fascinating in attributes. 
39 
