The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1882-08-04


est which have been collected and
placed on exhibition by the Institu-
ton. l cannot pass, however, without
more particular allusion to one or to
Of unusual interest. In a case of
South American curiosities is human
head measuring only four inches in
its greatest diameter. This comes
from the Amazon, and is war trophy
of the Indians of that river. An
enemy being killed, the skin is cut
around his neck and then loosened
and slipped off over the head. The
flesh is then removed and the skin
soaked for several hours in an infusion
of herbs. Then small pebbles are
heated and put inside the skin, and
the latter is shakenso that the pebbles
shall touch every part. The skin is
then soaked again until soft. This
operation is repeated until the skin is
contracted to the desired size. 1t
then somewhatresembles india rubber
in texture and preserves the original
features in their exact form. The
hair on the specimen possessed by the
Institution is quite long and very fine.
Another case contains shirt, tobacco
pouch, and several other articles of
use made of human skin. Fancy a
man wearing his enemy's skin for
shirt!
The National Museum was estab-
lished by Congress in 1912, and in
1858 was transferred to the care of
the Smithsonian Institution. Its
object which is not generally under
stood is most comprehensive one.
1t is intended to serve as vast record
hall for all that is immediately
connected with man and his daily
life. In short, everything that man
uses, throughout the whole world, and,
as far as possible, everything that he
has used in the past, will here find its
representative. The implements of
war, the household untensils, the toys,
| the mechanical contrivances, the cos
tunes of each nation, as far as the
past is penetrable, will be found here
properly classified and arranged.
The Museum is yet in its infancy and
is consequently rather bare of objects
although it has good exhibit of pot
terry and very interesting collection
of puppets, illustrating the modes of
life and dress among the differant
classes Of the Chinese, but when once
thoroughly in order its aid to the
student of the history of men and
nations will be invaluable. And as it
grows in age its value will increase.
1t will show to future generations the
style of dress Of the present day, the
ware with which we spread our tables
the implements of farming which we
use, the musical instruments which
delight our ears, our methods of OBJ.
tanning heat and light, the very stones
which we use in building, for there is
already an excellent collection of
building stone specimens on exhibit
ton. And, by the way, the observer
of few generations hence will prob
ably be lost in wonder that we could
live contentedly under such disadvan-
tages; just as we wonder now in
thinking Of the days of the stage
coach, the flint and steel, the quill pen
and the penny post. When we re-
member all that has been superseded
and swept away in the past century,
we can realize the value of an institu-
ton designed to perpetuate the exist.
ence of every article in use.
The building in which these OBJ
Jects are to be preserved is 3a7 feet
square, and contains $4,000 square
feet of available space, besides r35
rooms 10 be used as offices. 1t was
here that the last Inauguration Ball
was held. The building, upon that
occasion, was thrown open to the pub
lie for the first time. 1t had just been
completed, and much admiration was
expressed for its architectural elegance
both as to design and workmanship.
Since then the managing officers have
been engaged in arranging and class
flying such objects as they already