The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-12-09
observation can tell. even In models re-
ceived ten or a dozen years ago.

observation can tell. even in models re-
ceived ten or a dozen years age.
Another striking point about the glass
flowers IL their seeming fragility and their
real t~oughness and durability. One would
suppose that at least half OF them would
be broker In the transit from Germany 10
this country, but as a matter OF fact prac-
t.cally all arrive at the museum as per-
feet as when they left the Blaschka studio.
The greatest care, of course, is taken 10
pack them securely for the voyage. Each
specimen. with its illustrative details, is
wired to a piece Of heavy white cardboard,
properly labeled. This piece of cardboard
Is glued to the bottom of a heavy paste
board box, which is packed closely with
the finest tissue paper. This box, with
others, is packed in straw in a wooden case.
which in turn is bundled in more straw
and sewed finally In a covering Of burlap.
The models have until recently been left
on the cardboard TO which they were origi-
neIly fastened. out the cardboard. it has
been found, is liable TO warp, bringing
a strain on the glass which sometimes
causes IT to break. Accordingly it is pro-
posed to transfer the whole collection TO
tablets OF white plaster OF paris. and the
change has already been begun. With this
Improvement the models should be in a
position to last for centuries. Even as 1t
Is the breakage is wonderfully little. The
stems are built upon wire, for one thing;
and, for another, the glass, as has been
said, is not nearly so fragile as 1T looks.
At the close of the worlds fair In chi
Cago, the glass flowers which had been
sent there as a part of the Harvard ex-
hibit were found in a heap at one end of
the case in which they were shown. Inc
case was not quite level and the plush on
which the specimens rested, constantly
stirred as ii was with the heavy vibrations
OF nearby machinery, had carried them
gradually down the slight incline. But
hardly any were seriously damaged; only
here and there had one beea broken and
a little cement made the collection nearly
If not quite las good as new
The Harvard collection-the main part
Of it, that isis intended to represent, as
fully as shall be possible in the lifetime
OF Rudolph Blaschka. the aftinities OK the
principal Towering plants Of North Amer
lea, in the territory, particularly, or the
United States. Beginning, that is, with the
lower forms like the pine, the collection
passes in order upward through the orchid
the cactus, the rh~ododendron, the rose Vo
name only an example here and there, TO
the most highly developed plants, like the
dandelion, the daisy, the burdock, the
thistle, and the aster. In attractiveness
the cases vary as the flowers are more or
less brilliant; but though it is desired that
the collection shall be as beautiful and
striking as may be, the scientific progress
sion from the lower to the higher forms,
embracing the plainest as well as the
showiest blossoms, is the object aimed at.
VARIOUS COLLECTIONS.
The models are, of course, all i~ife-size,
ranging from the humblest and smallest
field flower to such superb specimens as
aNgreat branch of the EUCALYPTUS, two and a
half feet long. Each tablet, or card, IN
cludes the towering branch and magniied
studies of any details Of the flower which
possess special interest for botanists. U.s.
uaIly there are three or four of these de-
tails-including pretty regularly the stamen
and transverse and longitudinal sections OF
the ovary- and often as many as seven or
eight, where some popularity in the struc-
ture where some parts, as the stigma, the
style, the plant hairs, or the pollen grains.
is to be brought out.
Besides the main collection just described,
two supplementary ones have been formed
! One is in connection with the department
of economic botany, and shows the natural
state Of the plants producing Indian corn,
cotton, coffee, tea, tobacco, chocolate and
the like, each model being surrounded by
cDoo;,Aonc of tho oarnoaroia1 nrOdrct A
second collection illustrates the relation be-
tween insects and plants, and is divided
into two parts-one to explain the phenom-
ena of cross-pollenation by insects; and the
other displaying the habits of plants which,
like the Venus's fy-trap and the pitcher
plant, ensnare insects and devour them as
food. The examples shown in this last Sec
ton are perhaps the most striking models
in the museum.
Remarkable as the Ware collection now
is. it is to be considered as only the begin
ming of the great and systematic exhibition
which Harvard will have to show in com
ing years. if Rudolph Blaschka's life is
prolonged. He is now forty-three years old,
an artist possessing a unique and unequaled
process of copying the most delicate and
perishable of natural things and a botanist
OF the keenest observation and the greatest
love for his subject. He has twice visited
this country to collect and study such ma
tive plants as could not be transported or
grown in Europe from seed or bulbs, going
as far south as the island of Jamaica and
west to Arizona and California His en-
thusiasm for the collection which he has
built up is as keen as DR.. Goodale's: and
though he cannot Representations would
be insufficient for the task-to make models
of all even of the better known North
American genera. II is certain that, If his
life is only spared a reasonable number of
years, the museum will possess a collection
as representative and useful for all pur-
poses of exhibition as it is unique and beau
tiful.
A Parrot story.
1 phiIoda1nhfa RaC0rd