New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1871-04-28
LOCAL MISCELLANY.
THE AMERICAN MUSEUM OF NATURAL
HISTORY.

THE AMERICAN MUSEUM VI NATURAL
HISTORY.
PRIVATE ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS OF THE
SPECIMENS.
About thousand persons, including large
number Of ladies' attended complimentary reception
given yesterday afternoon by the trustees and eurators
of the American Museum Of Natural History, at their
Museum building in Central Park. An opportunity was
thus afforded Of examining the valuable COLLECTIONS to
Gently purchased by the Museum and also OF enjoying
promenade concert under the stimulus OF music from
fair orchestra Although the process OF easshcauoh
aud arrangement had not been carried SO far as he Gu
raors had anticipated yet enough was seen to convince
the visitors Of the great value Of the collections as
means OF public education and scientific culture
Under the direction Commissioners OF ParRs the
Arsenal has been thoroughly renovated and adapeu or
the reception the collection. The first hoor were nv
ing animals were formerly exhibited has beencohVefteu
into convenient reception parlOrs and committee rooms
The second and third stories have been ceed painted
and rendered generally attractive. Glass cases win oak
fittings have been provided for the preservation OF e
collection. The fourth floor has been divided INTO ieo
well-appoiuted workrooms for the use OF curators ~
arranging and labelling specimens The stoves Io'l'i
employed to heat the building have been replaoeu "
steam apparatus. ,us IN
The mode Of classification adopted by the curator -
arranging the collection for exhibition enaples % .N
10 pass by progressive stages from the Io"eS' -
highest types OF animal life. At the entrance = -,
n n fEnOn
shaped corals found at great depths. IN INC o0o"u
are eVhi,d sneeimens leaf and branching coIaiS'
found nearer the surface. The next case COM Ins
sneeimens of low orders OF animal me- 1HeSe ioin
mar ~ the celebrated collection of Prince MaAmihau
~ N,,ied Germany and valuable TO BIOLOGISTS on
sceonn Of the large number Of types represented Inc
pext ease on the opposite side of the room contains OV
ci,,ens Of fishes including the dolphin, bladdernsh
and many Others At the next point higher orders OF
Rsh are exhibited in alcohol ogethenwlth Skeletons vi
repties collected by the late Edward Yfrreaux OF PARIS
wellpreserved boa constructor frerSouth America is
worthy Of notice in this department -Four cases, IN the
center of the room devoted to the department OF
eopcbooey the first containing unique specimens OF
woods and minerals collected by Gen. Legenare on the
roast of the Island Formosa; the second cOecuoh oi
shells from all parts Of the world, presented by william
A. Haines and the last two, specimens OF snells anu
moIlusca, in alcohol, collected IN the East lhulah
Arehpelago by Prof Albert g. Bekmere and presented
nv him TO the Museum. The mousca include
most Of the species found on the shores OF
Aubovnia and adjacent islands, and are exhibited IN
sufficient number to afford ample opportunity for study
ing their anatomy In the next department. looVo secl
mems Of Lepdoptera have been presented by Coleman
Robinson including all weTknown varieties OF Ameri-
ran ana European moths and butterflies. More than
varieties OF beetles and insects Of other orders baye
been contributed by Baron r. osten Sacken. Further
sustalments Of the Macmillan collection consist or
south American birds including the penguin, condor
an0
are in addition birds every variety Of plumage includ
ing English sparrows, the Pompadoura, bell ard UNI
brella BIRDS orioles and parrots Two cases one con
ninq snakes Greenland seals and the other deer
Wild boars and bex, complete the catalogue OF the
second floor ., ..,ou- 3, North A,neri
ran birds aud stuffed animals OF all varieties rom the
tapcaroo 10 the monkey The Elliot COLLECTION CONSISTS
chiefly Of North American species, ana comprises over
go specmens carefully mounted on mahogany stanas
one Of the rarest specimens is the Great Aux WHICH
belongs 20 species extinct ana OF whoh the dst
were in Iccland. Every bird OF TINS continent
known to naturaSts Ia represented, including looms
spOonbis, para1dges, Wild turkeys NoOuPeeKers
and humming birds, in endless variety, the somber
being next neiehbo to golden orioles ana ahhg
aamingoes Foreign birds also are Seell ncludlhR
bustards, Holland duck, pheasants, eagles ana haWks
In departments found the REINDEER ana me
American stag lions leopards AND tigers gaZees ron
porCupnes, kangar0Os, and countless Other Varlete
until the progressive series is closed ana the Climax Is
group OF the oetagonls, Representing an A5aoa
driver live size mounted camel and attacked Dy
lion and houess, will be carefully aVOlueo ny huise
maids who have consideration Tor children under tneH
Tie work of classification is stn incomplete and many
speemens are stored n the wOrkrO0ms Large ana I'M
nenf in England Germany, and FRANCE. The collection
as whole promises TO be one Of great Importance ana
will focus for uniting the energies OF thOse
Interested in all departments Of scientific study.
II is anticipated that the collection will he thrown
omen 10 the public in few weeks soon as the Work OF
classification completed gratifying result OF the
formal reception yesterday was the contribution OF SO
by gentleman 70 the permanent fund.
The following the officers of the Museum; -
President JOIN David Wolfe SoePTesdenis- sDeH L. Stuart
Potter; TrasesJohn David Wolfe Robert stuart Robert Colgate
Berjanin FIELD Richard Bsehior Adrian lson Benlsnn b.
Howar Pottor r. Bloagett Andrew H. Green Morns
Jesup Steward j. PeTPoDt Morgan Moses Gnnne
A a. Phelps Dodge Charles A. Dana Joseph IL Choss Henry Fsnsh