Evening journal., 1903-09-09
EXHIBIT OF ETHNOLOGy
Miniature Mexican Palaces For
St. Louis Exposition.
HOST OF WORK CARVED BY HAND.

HOST OF WORK CARVED BY HAND.
Models of Central American Temples
AIso to BE sbown-Fine Collection
of Mounted American Animals,
Fish and Birds 20 De Sent 20 the
Worlds Fair.
Not since the days Of the Buffalo
exposition has there been such a scene
OF activity about the Smithsonian
workshops in Washington. down near
the water front, as at present Tax
idermists artists and general workmen
are hard at work preparing the ex-
hibits Of the National museum, Smith
sonion institution and bureau OF eth
nology for the St Louis exposition,
says the Washington Post.
At the beginning OF the present sea-
son Professor William II. Holmes,
chief of the bureau Of ethuology, de-
cided to reproduce in miniature the
wonderful palaces and temples OF the
semicivilized Bfayos, zapotecs, Quiches
and other tribes Of southern Mexico
and Central America. He at first in
tended to have ns many as twelve such
reproductions, but the work Of making
these mipiaturcs has proved so difficult
that the number has been reduced 90
flve. The difficulty has been that ow-
ing to the wealth of ornament and
sculpture on these buildings 1t is i'm
possible to cast the parts from molds.
In most cases the miniature reproduc-
tions Of these temples and palaces have
simply been carved by hand from solid
blocks OF plaster Of paris.
Three OF these miniatures have been
compieted-the Temple Of Xolchicolcos
In Yucatnn. the palace of the old Mix
tee kings at Militia, Mexico, and the
Cosa del Gozernador in Yucatan, the
making Of which occupied nearly three
months.
Work has been started on the fourth
OF the group. the so called Castle ot
Chichen-Ztza. The next TO follow will
be the Temple OF Palenque, on the IA
cade Of which is carved the peculiar
Maya cross, the symbol which so puz-
zled the monks and priests in the train
of Cortes' army and which caused
them TO argue that St. Thomas must
have visited America and half way
Christianized the natives long before
the coming of Columbus.
Among the Smithsonian taxidermists
more rapid progress is being made.
The work of mounting the big three
horned giraffe is about finished, and
the mounting Of the Norwegian elk, the
Alaskan musk OK and the Marco Polo
sheep is also we'll under way. Mr..
Charles knights reproduction of the
big stegosaurus is also nearing compile
ton, and the construction OF the whale
from the casts obtained by Professor
Lucas is advancing at a rapid rate.
DR.. ". J. MCGEE, who recently re-
turned from n three weeks stay in St.
Louis, where he was engaged in or
ganizlng the department of anthropol-
ogy and ethnology, Of which he has
charge at the great exposition, says:
while the plans for the department
are not yet mature, various features OF
interest are under consideration. 1t is
anticipated that the ethnologic exhibits
will include several Of the most strilS-
ing tribes known TO science. Arrange
ments have been practically completed
for displaying family groups Of pyg-
mics and giants. e., the smallest and
largest representatives of mankind. In
order TO Illustrate development in the
arts II is designed also to exhibit fam
fly groups of peoples still living in the
stone age, others just at the beginning
of metal working and others engaged
in primitive pattery making, basket
weaving, etc.
zone of the features contemplated is
a living representative of the Vlack
tribe, a race living in the neighborhood
Of Thessaly, the descendants OF the
warlike Romans who remained in
Greece after the battle of Pharsaiia.
These people are OF the pure ancient
Roman type, and in spite Of years of
Turkish oppression they have never
mixed either with Greeks or Turks
They now live in tents and are follow
ed from place TO place by focks Of
sheep and herds Of goats Another
type which hope TO secure Is the pure
Greek OF classic days. now found only
among the Sphakiotes. in the noun.
toins OF Crete or IN rare instances on
the island Of Corfu or the more remote
islands Of the Greek archipelago. These
Greeks have the head and profile ot
the Hermes Of PraSiteles-large blue
gray eyes. golden hair and are giants
in stature"
In the department Of fish and birds
the Smithsonian is preparing a won
derful exhibit. Mounted specimens Of
the four wild species Of chickens, the
Gailus hankiva. parent of all domestl,
breeds; Gallus sonnevat, Gallus stan
ley and Gnllus varlus, the latter some
what resembling a pheasant, will alsC
be shown. There VIII also be showr
n complete exhibit Of the different spe
cies Of pheasants, partridges, guinea
fowls. the common Javnn, white and
brown winged peafowls and a full ex
hibit of American birds, especially wild
ducks, geese, cranes, herons, the com
mon wild and ocelated turkeys. JAYS
robins and woodpeclers. among tn,
latter being the giant woodpecker Of
Lower California and northern Mexico