The National tribune., 1888-05-31

seen from all sides This exhibit has at all
times great many visitors, and some stay there
for hours.
From the treasures of this Museum we will
next take up the birds of our own and other
countries. They have them from the hum
ming-bird to the ostrich, and Of all varieties,
shapes and colors. Our domestic birds form the
larger portion of the collection, but there also
appears a wealth Of color and brightness from
those which come from the tropical regions.
One could write for hours upon this collection,
and then fail to express what they have seen.
/ will not attempt it, but will say that there is
not better exhibit in the world
The collection Of bnilding-stone is perhaps
the best in the world. They have marbles from
all the States in the Union, as we'll as granite,
limestone sandstone ETC., and specimens from
foreign countries. That our country surpasses
them all, except, perhaps in marble for sculp-
ture, 10 one could deny. The specimens her pro-
duced would set builder wild. And it is we'll
that every one cannot see what can be had in
ncighboring State, for fear Of decrease in home
industries In this connection may be men
toned the specimens of minerals, ores and
things of this character which are most com
plete. They comprise all the various gold
silver, iron, copper, platinum, lead and all the
other minerals with which our country
abounds and also with every species of rock
and mineral which can be found on the earth.
To person knowing mineralogy, this would
be delightful place to spend several days.
They have also a sarcophagus brought from
| Syria by one Of our great sailors, in which it
was supposed had been deposited the remains
| of some great parsonage for it was deliberately
| carved and had several supersCriptions upon it,
| which have not as yet been decphered. There
| is a section of the tomb Of the ancient Etrus.
| cans, in which are contained the effects which
! were
BURIED WITH THE PERSON.
These consist of pottery of various styles and
shapes, and few other things Of great historical
! value.
They also have several specimens Of mum
mics, which in their CHASTITY hideousness would
| make brave man shiYer were he confronted
with them in the dark hours of night. Two Of
| them are very ancient, and one is that of an
! infant which must have been inferred several
| hundred years ago. Th@&are not especially
pleasant to contemplate and but little time
suilices to give the observer all ne desires. But
they evidently knew how in the oldcn time tC
preserve bodies much better than do we in this
supposed enlightened age.
There is large exhibit Of the pottery Of al
nations, especially rich from China and Japan
Some Of these vases, which are very large
would cost hundreds of dollars had they been
purchased; but majority Of this collection
was donated from the Centennial Exhibition
although there is quite good deal of it col
lected by the management of the Institution
Some of the most valuable vases in the worlt
arc here displayed. That portion which show
the style of pottery made by the people of TIL
Pueblos Of the Colorado River is, of course, TIN
best extant and some of the collection woult
not disgrace the modern potteries.
The Japanese work in metals and bronze
exceeds anything before seen in this countr.
of the kind and shows conclusively that the,
have skilled workmen in that part of the glob
which we consider heathenish, and our artisan
, could well copy after them in many instances
The Fish Commission, which is under tn