TAXIDERMY AS A DECORATIYE ART. 
63 
it is to the follower of the radical side of taxidermy that we must 
credit the impetus given to progression. It is likely to meet with 
opposition from many sides, but there is an underlying current 
which will work silently but effectively, and I have no hesitation 
in saying that the time will soon come when the artistic side of 
taxidermy will have in its ranks the best talent in our profession. 
I find individually from experience that the greatest amount of 
satisfaction and benefit is derived from an association with taxi- 
dermists who have become liberal in their methods and progres- 
sive in their ideas. It affords me much pleasure in being able to 
say to you that our Society is mostly, if not entirely, made up of 
men of this class. I am sure that we have had abundant evidence 
of the versatility of its members, and a steady progression of the 
Society generally. 
In short, our Society may be said to be a radical organization, 
and as such is sure to progress, no matter what internal or 
external drawbacks it may meet with. The various catalogues 
of our exhibitions present each time the pleasing feature of a 
steady and unmistakable evidence of improvement. 
Decorative taxidermy may be said to be a branch of the art 
but recently developed. I have good information and data 
when, where, and by whom was made the first pieces of taxi- 
dei'uiy entitled to this distinction. What is meant by decorative 
taxidermy ? you may ask. I will endeavor to give you my 
opinion. It is not as easy to define it as I could wish ; but if 
you will leave out entirely the old styles of cases which have a 
quantity of birds, and a still greater quantity of green moss hud- 
dled together in attitudes meaning nothing, and which are no 
way in keeping with their natural habits or external character- 
istics, you will do me a favor and relieve me of the necessity of 
condemning the style very strongly. 
If decorative taxidermy must include the conventional case 
of stuffed birds, which is generally seen, I will be obliged to hurt 
some one’s feelings. For years the public eye has been compelled 
to look at the only style of taxidermy that could be produced, viz., 
a glass shade or a square box of stuffed birds as the only possible 
production of the aspiring taxidermist. You need not wonder 
that the art does not stand more in favor. It never will until 
