The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-05-30
THE AMERICAN MUSEUM OF NAT.
URAL HISTORY.
Recent Important Acaulstt,on..

The American Museum OF Natural History il ras
fulfilling the promise put forth on the occasion O.
its first opening and reception. About one veal
ago the public FIRST began to realize that such
thing IA real museum Of natural history was to be
formed. although its projectors had during the
two previous years worked diligently to the end
proposed. 1t is well known to most of our city
readers that this institution ia In hands that win
insure Its success and permanency, and also its pro-
gress in the right direction.
The grand collections that were purchased in
Europe and which now form the bulk Of the present
museum are particularly valuable Prince Maxi
milan, of Neuweid, in Germany, had during his
lifetime collected vast number of fine specimens,
and prominent among the above mentioned
purchases are these collections. His whole mu-
scum was purchased ut price far below the actual
cost. To this collection, and the still more valuable
Verreaux cabinets the trustees have recently added
some important specimens Mr. Halsted and his
partner, MIR. Haines, the latter prominent
member OF the Board OF Trustees of the
Museum, have purchased and presented to the
museum remarkably fine specimen OF
the fossil icthyosaurus. 1t Is embedded
In a slab from the las formation of Europe, and is
one OF the most perfect or is kind ever found. The
plates OF Its enormous eyeballs are as distinctly
seen as those OF an OWL which they much resemble.
u
managers OF the Museum this specimen will be
handsomely mounted In frame corresponding to
the cases In which other specimens are kept. 1t is
q wise policy, this excellent care taken OF each and
every specimen. 1t will be noticed that the birds
are mounted on mahogany stands, which are turned
and polished There are few specimens
but are fairly worth this extra trouble
ana and expense ., ana many are of great
fIsnyn rnG frMn tipvnn and
secured. Labels are being prepared as rapidly as
the printer can furnish them. These labels too,
are ar IN large handsome n type on cardboard borders
country. The common name Of the object Is placed
in largest type; then the systematic name. The
locality whence the specimen came. AS there are
over fourteen thousand specimens OF birds already
In the collection, besides several hundred skins not
slow process to get them fully prepared for the pub
lie inspection and for purposes Of study EventI,
appropriate guides to thorough understanding OF
the many interesting groups.
list of the mammals has just been completed
and sent to the printer, and soon the labels for
them VIII be ready to attach to the specimens.
The mammals OF this museum are of the greatest
try. 1t is circumstance that the trustees may
well feel proud OF that their collection Is so impor-
tant that any one desiring to consult specimens of
typical forms and rare Australasian species must
resort to the American Museum, unless they go to
Europe.
A case OF objects OF natural history has just been
received from Paris, containing more of those
excellent mounted birds and mammals which NJ.
NerreauX, OF all others, eXcels In producing.
Perhaps the finest thing lately acquired is the
great fossil elk from the boys OF Ireland This is to
large han. 1t is perfect skeleton, the antlers
being OF enormous size; the width particularly is
surprisingly great. In the same locality OF bog
whence came this elk was found (and 1t Is said that
II Is not an infrequent accurrence) large ball OF
butter. The substance a Is white like cheese, having
impress OF the cloth and thread with which 1t was
o %oud ana S s n tSe a
n various localities, ranging from the
contemporaneousy with man is proven by two kinds
of evidcnce-flrst the bones OF man and relics OF
implements are found associated with them in
caves. In 1853 near Amlens, In France, were
found embedded in the same gravel deposits with
fossil remains Of the extinct hairy elephant, rhinO
ceros and OK, hatchets with articles In cnt stone.
The mastodon remains are SO associated with
Indian bones and relics in this country to prove
concusiyely that the two have lived contempora-
neOusy. -"
In connection with the fine cabinet of compare.
tive anatomy already owned by the Museum this
wi VIII be Of great a. value and interest. Mr. Jackson
Of which he IS an active trustee, two splendid
specimens Of quartz In crystals. One consists OF a
pletely studded with prisns from the size Of half
inch diameter to two inches, each prism being per-
ingly grand, as they glitter like so many diamonds.
Another is about the same SIZE but is less clear,
though the crystals are much larger Altogether
such specimens are seldom seen, and Will alone re-
pay one the visit to the Park They were taken
nom quarry in New York State
One the most important features lately intro.
duced in the American Museum ia a /" Department
of Building Stones, the design OF which is to afford
builders and a interested an opportunity to ex-
anime at glance more In detail the various build.
ing materials of country, or Of the world partcu
lar prominence being Of course given to the ndigen
GUS materials. In several instances circumstances
have arisen to cause this matter to be
brought before those concerned in the progress
of the Museum, and it has determined to issue
the various species OF marbles, GRANTEES, sand.
stones &c. In response there have been sent
number ofbeautiiul blocks, and many more are being
prepared. In order to insure uniformity 1t was
specified that each block shall be one foot, cubic,
and the finish to be in such manner as will best
show the quality and texture Of the stone. Hand
somely printed labels are attached by the Museum,
showing the donors name and the locality OF the
quarry 1t Will readily be seen that this Il likely TO
be movement OF great value to the public as well
US one furnishing collection which must prove Of
interest to the casual visitor. What can be finer
than handsome cubes OF the various marbles,
polished to show the delicate grain and
particularly those forms which are made up
AM channels have been replaced by few
deposit OF calcareous formation. The latter, when
polished, snow IN a cross section handsome
Of this fossil coral marble specimens of which will
be furnished for the Museum. other varieties of
similar nature are found in Iowa and other Western
states. A firm in the city has offered TO send fifty
varieties, including all the valuable foreign mar
bes. The GRANTEES and sandstones OF New England
will be largely represented. Everywhere that
buildings cfany prctension are required we see the
granite OF Quincy the brown stone of Connecticut
or the magnetism white marble Of New York State.
IN Cavendish, W.T. quarry was opened some
years since that has yielded very beautiful serpen-
tine marble. consisting OF elegant green variations.
pure white statuary marble has also been worked
ont in the Green Mountain State. All these varie-
ties are being prepared for the Museum.
A most excellent collection of fossils from the las
presented "A
city. In this series are some OF the finest forms OF
ammonites and cucrinites, trilobtes, &c. From the
Heidelberg region, In Schobarie county, there
are very perfect fossil shells and corals. A
nice suit OF the latter Kind was given
by Mr. steward. As was anticipated and
desired by the trustees, young people as well as
Others are showing an interest by awaiting them
selves of the reserved days. Mondays and TUESDAYS
OF each week, 10 examine the cabinets and compare
specimens for Identification or study. Every
facility Is afforded that is possible at the rooms OF
the Museum for encouragement Of those who de-
sire TO study in the various branches During the
past week young man, resident In the city, de-
posted a collection OF the marine invertebrate