Devils Lake inter-ocean. (Devils Lake, Ramsey Co., Dakota [N.D.]) 1884-1905, 1885-05-30
THE NATIONAL MusEuM.
Interesting Description How
Specimens are Treated.

Interesting Description How.
II Specimens are Treated.
Special Correspondenceo Of thu IxrEn-OcxAxl
WASHINGTON, May 22.-Every week
thousands of people visit the two gov
ernment museums in this city, the Ma
tional, and the Smithsonian. Few Of
them, however, have any idea of the
views behind the scenes, or in the work
shops Of these institutions, where the
specimens are prepared for exhibition
by the professors employed at govern
ment expense. l have just been to see
the "Wizaard" as Prof. Hendley is called,
at his work. He is called the "wizzard"
because his work is magic, and calls
forth expressions of wonder and admir-
alton from all who see it. Prof. Hend-
ley's retreat is a rather small room in
the National museum, and is quite q
study. On the tables, window sills and
i'll every nook and corner are specimens
Of his workmanship. Bright hued ap-
pies, downy-cheeked peaches, crystal
like grapes, oysters ION the half SHE'LL"
cantaloupes, loaves Of bread, and many
kinds of fishes. all 50 true to nature that
the touch as well as the sight is deceiv-
ed. On entering this room you are con-
frontcd by good looking young man
with blonde hair and moustache and
eyeglasses, whom the professor calls his
assistant. The young man is in his
shirt sleeves, a cigar peeps out Of his
vest pocket, and he is in an attitude of
study over half stuffed bird which he
holds in his hand. The visitor inyari~
ably bows and speaks and qs invariably
receives no response. He is in reality
a plaster figure, attircd in one of Prof.
Hendley's old suits, and has deceived
thousands of people on account of his
life like appearance. Perhaps the
crownng effort of the professors art is
n life size piecerepresenting half nude
colorcd man, who has just been fishing
in the Potomac and hns gone to sleep
on Il log. On the ground before him is
n bunch Of catfish. His head rests on
one hand, and the other hangs listlessly
in front grasping corn cob pipe, while
the arm supports rustic fishing rod.
The figures are all in plaster, and color
ed to nature, except the log which is
made Of papier mache, and appears
real, even to the moss upon it. Several
scientists who saw this piece enthusiasts
tically pronounced it wonder OF inge-
nuity, and number Of congressman
requested the "Wizzard" to exhibit it in
the rotunda Of the capitol. Prof. Hend-
ley can reproduce almost anything
from ali original sample. He MAKES all
kinds Of rare plants which botan,st
even would not know from real ones
unless he attempted to analyze them. I
watched him while he was reproducing
n little tree from sample of the origin
al. He was surrounded by queer look
ing pots, lamps and mysterious appli-
ances. The compositions used IRE all in
vented by himself. In order to show me
how rapidly he could work he formed,
painted and tinted, large luscious
looking peach in about twenty minutes.
The department of taxidermy is in
charge Of Prof. IIornaday who is always
i'll receipt Of interesting specimens.
Some Of the stuffed monkies have inter-
esting histories, and there is glass case
containing whole family Of ourang-
outangs, which Prof Hornaday killed
himself in the jungles of Borneo. When
II body is received at the museum, q
pluster cast is first taken Of it. The skin
is then removed and prepared for stuff
ing, the body is d:ssected, certain por-
tions are preserved in alcohol, and the
bones are sent to the mammal depart
ment 10 be made into a mounted skele-
WI. 'olIIiCCICA Will ClIC kolHlIl1oOulnA
is All apartment where birds are stuffed
and prepared for exhibition. This is
presided over by Prof. Samson, and is
always stocked with gay plumaged birds
from all parts Of the world. There is q
room where fish are reproduced in plas-
ter and painted in natural hues, and q
photograph establishment in connection
with the museums where views of all
these things may be had. Behind the
scenes of the government institutions
here there is much to interest the sight
seer who may visit the capitol during
these vacation days wnen congress il
absent.
Card of Thanks.
A. ro.,ok p,-I H.