New-York tribune., 1906-07-29
IN HIS OWN WORDS.

In talking about natural history museums Dr.
Bumpus said recently:
THE activities Of an institution Of this kind
take expression in two different directions
scientific investigation and education The lat
ter is absolutely dependent upon the former, and
no institution Of the character OF the American
Museum OF Natural History can adequately pre-
sent the various lines Of scientific discovery
without maintaining number of field eXped1-
tions and encouraging research at home In the
laboratories Of the institution. The results OK
this exploration and investigation may be made
known through scientific publications, lectures
and demonstrations in exhibition halls. The alb
SOlute necessity Of scientific work as fOun0a-
ton for the educational work is taken for
granted.
a museums obligation to the public how
ever. must cover not only the range OF activity
of the members OF the scientific staff but the en-
tire range of human knowledge so far as the
various branches of natural history are con-
cerned. For example. the collections illustrating
the subject Of mineralOgy should be so installed
as to give the visitor fuIl knowledge OF the
physical and chemical characteristics OF min
erals as well as the uses Of mineT1tS In the arts,
etc, even though the museum may not be
equipped with laboratories or supplied with the
men OF science that one would find in a technical
school making a speciality of metallugy. Il
would be a sadly incomplete museum that put
on exhibition only that material that had been
collected by members Of the staff. and Of interest
only to members of the scientific staff. The col
lectiOns ought to illustrate the subject instead
or mans work. lt IS or no interest to the pub
lie that this collection Of shells from the shores
OF the Atlantic was made by some particular
man. The exhibits in institution Of this
nature should be made primarily for presenting
in an ample manner various scientific subjects
and not for the mere exhibition OF specimens
The exhaustive collection Of specimens belongs
more to the workrOOm, where they should be
available for visiting scientists. The sO-called
exhibition halls should be jealousy reserved for
the importation of information and the Speci-
mems carefully selected This museum has re-
spOnded Of late TO this demand that has been
made upon ii and other similar institutions by
the discriminating public. The officers and GU
rators in the institution heartily in sym
What are some Of the features peculiar to the
American Museum was asked.
"One novel feature is the habit Of sending
artists into the field 70 set atmosphere for the
installation of the animal groups" replied Dr.
BumpuS.
What do you think Of the un'nteresting way
in which specimens are labelled in many nu-
seums?"
in rot a few museums are labels that tell
in terms that are technical. Many specimens
put exhibition that no one knows any
thing about. They ought to be changed
DR.. Bumpus is forty-fOur years old. having
been born in Bucllfield. Me. in 1862 Personally,
he is genial. optimistic. but retiring He sees
the humorous side of life. and has an original
way OF describing little incidents lie is sood
POSTMASTER. having a fund of stories at his
command. Exceedingly generous. he is careful
is accomplished under pressure. He lives N
Rochelle Park. New Rochelle, with his wife ana
two sons, one sixteen or seventeen years or age
and the other about half as old. Here he de-
rives great deal Of pleasure from his vegetable
garden in which he delights to delve