National Republican., 1883-11-20
THE NATIONAL MUSEUM.
Sketch Of Prof Hendley, "tho Wizard" and
His Work.
STUFFED Monkeys and Ourang outangs-
An interesting Exhibit i'm Preparation.

Very few among the thousands who visit
the two government museums in this city
every week have any idea of the views "be-
hind the scones"-in the workshops of tho
national museum and Smithsonian institute
where the numerous specimens arc prepared
for exhibition by tho several professors, who
are regularly employed by the government.
REPUBLICAN reporter visited those pre-
paratory establishments yesterday afternoon
and collated some facts regarding few of
them.
An ascent up several flights of iron stair
ways on the east side of the museum building
brought the scribe TO tho retreat of the
wizard of tho national museum" Prof, j.
w. Hondley, queer little man, with beam
ing eyes and an intelligent face. lie has
been designated the wizard, because his work
is magic, and calls forth expressions of won
der and admiration from all who have wit
messed 1t. His retreat is u rather small room
overlooking the east park. On entering the
door the visitor is faced by the professors as
sistant a rather handsome young man, with
blonde hair and moustache, and eyeglasses
covering pair of bright blue eyes. He is in
his shirtsleeves, cigar peeps out of
his vost pocket and he Is in an
attitude of deep study over q half stuffed
bird, which is held in his left hand. The
visitor invariably bows and speaks to the as
sistant and as invariably receives no re-
sponse The assistant is plaster figure, at
tired in one of the professors old suits of
clothing, and has deceived thousands of per-
sons on account of its extremely natural ap-
pearance.
The room is u great study. On the tables,
window sills, and in every nook aud corner
are specimens of magic workmanship. Apples
blooming in their bright autumn hues, rosy
checked peaches, crystal like Malaga grapes
oysters ION the half she'll" canteloupes,
loaves of bakers bread, and many kinds OF
fishes, and all so true to nature that the
touch as we'll as the sight is deceived by
them
The crowning effort of Prof Hondloy's art
is life size piece, OF purely original design
and effect, which will be placed on exhibition
IN the rotunda of the capitol. 1t represents
half nude colored man, who has Just been
fishing in the Potomac, and who has gone
fast asleep on a log. He is in an upright
position, and his head rests easily on his
right hand. On the ground before him is
bunch of catfish, while his left hand hangs
listlessly in front and contains "corncob T"
pipe, the arm supporting rustic fishing rod
The figures are all in plaster, and colored to
nature, except the log, which was constructed
OF papier mache, and appears real, even to
the moss upon it, Several congressman and
scientists who have seen this piece enthu-
siastically pronounce it awonder of American
Ingenuity, and have requested the professor to
exhibit it in the capitol building.
Prof Hendley was busy yesterday repro
ducing q rare plant from sample of the
original, and was surrounded by queer look
ing pots, oil lamps, and mysterious appliances
The compositions used are all original, and
the wizard, to show how rapidly he can
work, painted and tinted o large and luscious
looking peach in less than fifteen minutes.
Leaving the wizard rapidly manipulating
piece of gun cotton composition, the re-
porter visited tho department of taxidermy,
in charge of ProfWilliam t. Hornaday chief
taxidermist.
ANY interesting specimens, professor ?n
asked the reporter.
Yes" he replied, pointing to variety Of
seals, in different stages of preparation about
the apartment, these are all interesting.
This one is the West Indian or tropical seal.
1t is a very rare specimen, being the only ono
on exhibition anywhere Tho species are
nearly extinct, because they have been killed
IN large numbers by West Indians for their
Oil for many years. This other one is also
rare. 1t is known as the seal elephant, bo-
cause, as you see, it resembles that animal"
Tho way was then led into an adjoining
room filled with picking watts and long
shelves containing cans of arsenic and other
posonS used in the process.
When u carcass is received at the museum
1t is subjected to peculiar process. A plaster
cast is first made from the body, the skin re-
moved and prepared for stullng. the body
dlssected, and certain portions preserved in
alcohol and tho bones sent to the mammal
department. to be converted in nicely fin
ished and mounted skeleton,
In the watts were filled with the skins of
squirrels, monkeys, seals, and other animals,
and the professor explained that they are
allowed to season before being stuffed. The
entire department was scene of interest,
and showed the intricacy necessary to pre-
pare specimens for public exhibition.
This" said Prof Hornaday, producing
the stuffed figure of monkey, "is the animal
that attacked the magician at the Dime
museum and severely bit him about the hands
and legs. He was u ferocious beast, and had
set of very desperate teeth. Ho will be
hereafter exhibited in one of the glass cases
of the National museum" The professor has
just finished a large glass case of
ourang-outangs which were killed by
himself in tho jungles of Borneo.
lbe scene is an interesting one. 1t repre-
sents family of those animals. Two huge
males are engaged in II terrible combat, while
female with her infant, doubtless fright
ened at the fray is in an attitude of escape.
Tho jungle trees are faithfully portrayed, as
is the ourang-outang's nest in the crotch of the
tree. The orgit, or air plant, upon which the
animals feed, is also shown. 1t was produced
from an original sample by Prof Hondley.
Connected with the Smithsonian is an
apartment whero birds are stuffed and pre-
pared for exhibition. 1t is presided over by
Prof. Samson, and is always stocked with gay
plumaged birds from all parts of tho world.
Above is photograph establishment, where
many interesting views are produced and in
the rear room where fish are reproduced
in plaster and painted in natural hues.
Verify, behind the scenes" of the govern
ment museum is an interesting and instructive
siSht.