The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1907-01-13

which are devoted to displays OF grains.
TO the man who gontamplates buying n
farm In yirginia--and such a visitor is
always welcome ut the Commissioners
Dlilee-these three exhibits are the most
Interesting In the museum. In the two
remaining cases Mt this end of the inu-
scum are tho mineral exhibits, which, In
tho great variety OF specimens displayed,
surprise many who have lived In virginia
nj their lives but have no idea OF the
vast mineral wealth of the State, most
OF which is Us vet tndeveloped, but
which Is now being Brought to the at
tention of capitalists.
To the right OF the entrance Is the to-
bacco cSlitbit, arranged very tastefully.
md II Is very tempting to all lovers of
the fragrant weed. This exhibit Is espe-
chilly interesting to many visitors at the
museum who have never seen tobacco
except In the manufactured product
Two cases that at once attract the at
iention OF visitors drc inst to the right
81 tho centre. one of these contains
Number of stuffed animals, the central
fiEtire being splendid specimen of
Virginia door. with wide-spreading ant
tets while at his side is n doe. This
.ase must necessarily suggest Noah's ark.
OH account oil the grouping upon such
Of widely different habits and natures,
However. this was made necessary be-
cnusa II was recognized that while this
division of the museum was interesting,
1t was not MS important rs that devoted
to- other subjects more likely attract
settlers to the State. and space did not
ststify more cases being devoted TO
natural history Hence the bears. the
deer, the wild cat, the lynx. the beaver
the otter. the rabbit the opossuin, ana |
the raccoon are all seen in such close
relationship in this exhibit The birds of
the State arc given two cases. and
nearly every one of the feathered tribs is
represented. save the English sparrow,
and he needs no place in this gathering.
Tor he speaks for himself from the caves
OF the Capitol The eagle. the bird OF
freedom. perches above them all: the
wise owl is given a place to which his
dignity entities him. the quail and the
jiheasart are in the brush. and the robin
shows his red breast from the twig of |
a tree.
q The Fish Exhibit.
Es1n the northes stern corner of the mu- y
seum are two cases in which are shown
the fish found In the waters of the
State The specimens are papier-mache.
hut wonderfully lifelike. ANY ardent
follower of Izaak Walton could spend an |
hour examining the contents of these |
two cases. and find it interesting work.
In order that the visitor may form
sonne idea as to the topography OF the ,
State. and the general appearance of
tile different sections. a number of trans
have been hung in the nu-
same that We're displayed at
the ST. Louis Exposition. Most of these
IRE in colors. and are really works of
art. The original cost of them was some
thing like two thousand dollars.
There was not enough space on the
main floor of the museum for all of
The exhibits. so the overflow was placed
In the two galleries In one of these
4 tile tobacco house that was exhibited
II st. Louis. In the eastern gallery,
among other exhibits, is an exact repro
iuction in papier-mache of . large shark
and an immense turtle. The size of the
latter so impressed curly-headed
youngster of five last week that as ne
descended the spiral stairway ne could
find no better means of comparison than
that contained in his ejaculation that ne
had seen a turtle as big as his father