New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1881-08-01
AN AID TO SCIENCE.
THE MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY.


THE MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY.
THE GROUNDS SURROUNDING THE STRUCTURE
PLANS FOR MAKING THE INSTITUTE CENTRE
OF INVESTIGATION AND ORIGINAL. RESEARCH
ADDITIONS TO THE COLLECTIoN--A COURSE OF
LECTURES.
manhattan Square is not an attractive spot.
It's general level If such irregular said
10 nave any level far below the street line From the
surrounding roadways in many places built on high en-
pahKments broken rocks, blasted from the solid back
bone OF the island where buildings were to be erected
nave been tumbed into the basin, and sti remain in
Dare, ragged precpices covered with thin
bottom OF what fostering pool, slow process
sions of carts dumping dirt and general suggestion
OF esurey activity shows that the Park Department is
filling in" To the eye of faith Square is
stretch OF rolling lawn planted with groups of choice
shrupbery. But only the eye of the strongest
KIND OF faith refresh itself with this
dant prospect. The sole attraction of the Square
as 1T exists is found in the substantial honesooking
building which rises from the rock. The unfinished
ends of this building show that single section Of
an incomplete structure m reality, 1t one Of four
wings which are to radiate from central DOME In
cuung these inner sections and connecting with the
wings will extend similar sections in the form of q
square, and one side of this exterior square is be
seventy five feet longer than the Capitol at Washington
The Museum of Natural History in this incomplete
dtion has already attained to sufficient Importance to
Justify the expenditure of 100000
by tho projected park approaches by which it will
connected with the system of drives and walks the
etys pleasureground Its managers laying founda-
lions deep and broad enough to make it the great
scum of Future America, the of and
and, in connection with the Art Museum, the Lenox
Library the College of Music and other institutions
postgradqae university Of the Continent Such UNI
eefsy be highest eeeency Win make necessary
ntray grow up III the metropolis where there is the
greatest concentration OF population and wealth.
WHAT THE MUSEUM CONTAINS.
The present contents of the Museum may be briefly
classified and characterized as follows:
H. collection of mammals equal in extent and va
riety to all Others in the country combined. (2) col
lection OF birds perfect in condition and mounted in
more natural attitudes whole than any other in the
world 49, collection relating to the archaeology of
America, which, when the specimens here belonging to
men working in the Museum and the specimens belong
ing to the Museum taken together is complete
than that under any roof IN the country a. col
lection illustrating the ethnologv of the Pacific Islands,
one OF the most complete in the world (5 paeozoo
collection, mainly OF fossils from America better than
anything of the kind in Europe. (6.) A collection
rocks partly owned by the Museum partly deposited
here by the National Museum, comprising all the
rocks gathered in the country. To these should
be added the libraries special subjects
noteworthy among which is that upon fishes, collected
by j. Carson BrevoOrt, and presented by Robert
art. The next In value relates to shells 1t col
lected by Dr. John c. Jay and presented by Miss 9. L.
Wolfe
Large sums of money have been spent upon
ectons during few years past. But the view
been simply to swell the contents OF the Museum In bulk
No gifts are accepted condition of remaining
on view. If better specimen of any object
tanned than is already possessed the old hlessy
removed. The mountngs ana preparation of specimens
have been improved at great expense in order make
the collection useful and attractive possible,
stead of numbering the with a unassmi-
lated material As result OF this system the growth is
healthy and under control Every addition gives def
mite increase of value to the whole The collection will
always have organic unity and never become I'M
wiedy 1t win be as readily available in every detail
when the structure is completed and filled to-day
Not only is every specimen in prime condition. but every
one Is needed and every is accessible The syste
matte arrangement and complete availability make the
Museum an invaluable aid students pursuing any spe-
cial line or investigation while the superb condition of
the whole makes 1t attractive to the most casual sight
The containing the well-kept weapons and the
ers are wonderfully attractive persons whose interest
In systematic ethnoogy of the senderest AS objects
color ore oor can hy Sc
gated iustre Of their pmaee is scarcev sr r
able than the hfeike attitudes and animated expression
mounted with rare skill and owing to the ndicous
and tina that oa 6 Il 50 %e
floors can be ut its best Altogether IL surprising
raon Of science Which can be- appreeafed by perons
OF visitors.
THE MUSEUM AS A CENTRE OF INVESTIGATION.
But II the Museum is to be living and growing force
Ii must be something than a mere exhibition. The
founders OF the institution appreciated this and the
central and controlling idea OF the was to make
1t active dissemination OF scientific truth As one
means to this end 1t intended to attract nvesti-
gators Objects for study only to be provided
but facilities for prosecuting those studies. Not only
the treasures OF the collection thrown open
for the use of scientific not connected with the
management, but such were to have room and
appliances for work, that the Museum building would
be home of original research, where new discoveries
would be made in the realm OF science and from which
fresh facts would be constantly given to the world.
To this end a story added to the building, which
contains rooms designed for students and experts
These work unparalleled in convenience and
as the building grows they will be and
pied by graduates OF colleges who compelled to
go to Berlin London Vienna to pursue special
studies
AS an example OF the pains taken to encourage
study, the "Dana's Manual Series" should be men,
toned This IL special collection in Geological Hall to
illustrate the standard textbook in American colleges
large percentage Of the specimens figured this work
are here grouped each object labelled with its scientific
in textbook thus making an abstract subject prac-
tically available by showing the object itself well
appreciated by competent to estimate their
Snue 1T worth ong that the mining experts who
silver mines OF the country are now here engaged in
drawers of work-rooms are collected specimens of
the ore and OF the rock containing the from
have been selected because they offer facilities
microscopic work, with perfect light, all mechanical
i9tey nrepEoof As these facilities enlarged other
enjoyed by the experts Of the nation.
MEANS FOR POPULAR INSTRUCTION.
Besides encouraging original research by skilled
gators is the aim of to utilize their treas
ures for popular instruotion-reaching downward to-