Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1877-10-26
Interesting New Features Of the
Fishery Commission Work

Very few persons who visit the Smith
sonian Institution ever trouble themselves
10 examine The comparatively small build
ing OF brick which stards to the ives. OF The
principal structure. But Ii is, nevertheless
well worth The time spent in visit. Il has
been erected within the last few years. and is
devoted to operations connected win the
Fishery Commission. over which Prof. Baird
presides with 80 much ability. O.iziual
specimens of fishes collected by branches of
The commission all over the Uuiled States
are received here, shetched, cast m plaster,
AID the cast Is then painted In eX4ct imi,a-
ton of The original Photographs or the
fishes sre also taken, which are OF value foT
the Illustration of reports or books on the
sUf.s q. n collection of tJU casts, pre- paTet
IS Mess. i. T. no Shiniler AID John II
k'cLard, WAS Exhibited az the Centennial
EXPOSITION, aud il Low stored 81 the Armory
hnliGirg. Many of jhe specimens were in.
juTed by transportation from Philaiei plia
and are being repaired.
NEW MODE OF REPREsENrING REPTILE
LIFE.
Tie process employed To eXempify ia a
durable iolm the fish species OF the Uni I'D
states is now being extended so "a 10 include
the ItG,iltS These were formerly preserved
in alcohol; but besides the difficu Ity of seeing
them distinctly wheE bo;iled, il was found
,hat certain colors faded away when the spe-
c'men was exposed ID the action of this
liquid, BY the present plan snakes, turtles
etc. when received are Immediately ske; ched
and painted by the artist, Mr.. Shindler "A
very pleasant and Intelligent gentleman.
Many of these sketches are OF great dellcacy
and beauty.
How THE CASTS ARE MADE.
plaster cast is then made OF the reptile,
every wrinkle being preserved. NJ. Snind-
Ter completes the process by coloring the
cast, Initiating his former painting with ex-
IRENE minutenesS. In this way the original
specimen seems TO stand in life before you
and Its form and color are indestructi Die as
iaT as the ordinary causes of decay and fad
ing are concerned. The casts when completed
are placed for exhibition in the Smithsonian
building. There is 40 similar cOilec 10. rep
reSeDting reptile life in the United State-,
AID perhaps not in the world.
The rooi of this brick building is fitted up
Tor the bleaching and macaratlng OF large
SIX, letOns. After maceratiOn tbs bones are
tered bones of whales ard turtles give the
place the appearance and smell OF charnel
house.
INDIANS IN PLASTER.
In the casting room of M. Palmer. hes idas
tie specimens of Dishes and reptiles, includ-
II fine cast of a $40 round tdrtie, there ale
tie representations in plaster OF A large mum
originals. Mr.. Clark Mills, when IN II
Augustine, Florida, took casts Of Ir1in % 10
30 captured Indians. This refined torture %
pilsol.ers, after the i41anner of the India..S
themselves, was complished by plac,ng an
elastic cap over the head of the victim and
inserting stiaws in his nose. after which ne
was scientifically plastercd. Casts Of supe-
rlof htilsh nave been taken by Mr.. Palmer
nom the original rude ones, and have been
painted. Altogether visit 10 the building
is very entertaining; an examination of the
sketches and OF the casts in their colorei aud
uncolOIed conditions being of especial IL
tereSt.