The evening Argus. [volume] (Rock Island, Ill.) 1861-1871, 1867-01-17
OF the argus.
LOCAL EfUSEUas--A REAL WANT.

Every sown oughs posse.~ 7.oIlAeEian
of purely local specimens, and 1t Is to the de-
vsiopmene of euon museums thai we must
look, more than to anything else, for the tu-
ture extension of intellectual al pursuits through
out the land.
"l4oeat libraries are now 80 universal. that
if the committee or council of each of these
were TO set apart q small rom in their build
ing, or even fs up in their library or reading
room glass case tor the reception of local
specimens, such q collection would very quick
~ get formed and not only would it serve
to promote the study and love OF science
among the inhabitants of the district in
which IL liz situated, but it wauld also most
materially assist those geologlsts or antique
ries who may happen to be pursuing some
special branch Of inquiry, and may, there
fore, be obliged to consult museums in differ
eut parts OF the country, so as 20 enable them
20 compare the products of one specific local
ltJ with those OF another
"Thus. In the case of geologist wishing
to study the fossils OF some Particular district,
il Ia often quite indispensable that he should
have local collection TO refer to
l., oD the other hand, naturalist has .
moderately good local museum 60 consult, he
may, with the aid OF q map, learn more IN
one hour than by spending fertnite In O.
| suecessisn of tedtua and perhaps expensive
| peregrinetions for In such a museum he
| would see specimens found by resident collect
| ors, who have had the opportunity of notin q
| the particulars Of every discovery az soon as
! 1t was made. Il @9
| "Supposs tunnel for railway is in course
| of formation. Whilst the work il in progress,
| local collector has plenty of opportunities
| for taking measurements of the varioas strata
h. oh y nrd &sa~n g.
amongst the debris rare and valuable speci
mems. Ii these are preserved in q local mu-
scum, they become in few years dou bly, val
liable in the estimation of gsologist for al
| this 10 the more necessary with us inasmuch
as animals. birds, fish, and even plants disap
pear as the country becomes settled, and GU,
rafting railroads bring seeds of new plants
which, in few years, become thoroughly ha
bItnated."
1t is with the intention of starting such
museum that the directors of the Rock ISLAND
Library Association have already commenced
oollection of specimens of natural history
Several persons having curiosities of thi'
kind have donated them to the Library, fol
which they will be credited ,asitis the purpos.
to place the name of donsr upon each piece Civ
en-. Persons having anything of interest te
nate,such as geological specimens, sampler
of iron, copper, lead. silver. gold, or o.hel
oars, Indian relics, as arrow and spear heads
skulls from ancient Indian graves, &c. Cal
leave them either with J. M. Buford. ct tn
First National Bank, or with G. W. Plat i,
Webbsr's Block, where they will be properl,
cared for and placed in case. prepared fo
their reception.
Miners of coal are particularly requisite,
to pay attention to the preservation of fern
or other fossils they may find during the ex
tension of their entries or rooms.