The daily democrat. [volume] (Anadarko, Oklahoma) 190?-1908, 1907-04-19
Nan ana HIs FrIend compared.


agement to prepare specimens to por.
tray active life, each Of these is
mounted so as 20 typify some charac-
teristic phase of the life of the horse
or of its history So Sysonby, when
placed on public view, will be shown
galloping, arranged to suggest the
wonderful speed he showed on the
track. The bones Of the great stall
lion after their long preparation are
now disarticulated in the laboratory
of DR.. S. II. Chubb, who is in charge
OF this particular phase of the mu.
seum's activity. When the work OF
mounting them will be begun is not
yet determined. It will be some
months before they are prepared for
public display.
Those who have not seen the speci-
mems displayed in the great museum
cannot fully appreciate the effect Of
their novel treatment Each exhibit
placed on view there is immeasurably
enhanced by this suggestion of anima-
ton. Birds in their eyries, beasts in
their lairs, and reptiles in their nests
are made to picture life as nearly as
the dead reproduction can. This idea
is not surprising, but TO employ the
plan in the mounting of skeletons is
certainly highly ingenious and strik-
ingly effective. It is amazing what
the framework of the animal can tell
when, by careful study, each part is
made to suggest its function in actual
life
An instance will serve for illustra-
tion. The draught horse, beast of
burden, nodded on powerful heavy
lines, trained to drag great weight,
automatically adjusts it's body to it's
task so that each part with the great
est economy of effort produces the
greatest resultant force. When the
right hind leg is set firmly, it's broad
hips lowered, its body swerved to the
right - bring its massive shoulders
in direct line for freest action, with
head 10 right and lowered, every mus
Gle is set scr the greatest strain. So,
too, is its frame. The skeleton of
the horse, when set up thus in action,
shows the hind leg, the lowered, flat-
tened pelvis, the arched and curved
vertebrae swinging to the side, the
shoulders hunched and neck bent
each bone, in short, true to life-in the
position II would occupy when actually
engaged in such action. So also the
skeleton of pony, set as IL grazing,
is truthful to the minutest detail.
Everything else that is placed on view
shows the same painstaking effort,
and the effect is truly amazing.
AS striking a display as any TO be
found in the museum is the combined
! figures of horse and man. Man and
His Friend" IL is called, and 1t is set
up TO illustrate the subjugation of the
horse by man after the animal had
reached It's present form of develop
ment. The skeleton OF the horse is
erected on hind legs, rearing as in
fear of the figure by its side. The
human frame walks beside, with hand
uplifted, evidently holding the bride
and restraining the mad plunges Of
the animal. Each bone tells plainly
the story of its purpose to those who
care to seek its meaning.
So Sysonby Will tell his tale. While
TO the unthinking his frame will serve
merely to recall his prowess, the stu
dent will find It OF greatest interest
Posed as galloping, the agility and
easy grace of his movements will be
in evidence rather than the power
which the figure of the draught horse
typifies. The power will be there.
but subscribing the suggestion Of
speed. There viii be conservation Of
strength and nervous, racking energy
in it's application to attain the swift
est flight; the eager tenseness which
drives the modern race horse at its
greatest pace for short stretches, sur
passing all achievements of the turf
monarchs Of the past, though lacking,
perhaps, the stamina that carried the
great horses of old over long distances
unwearied.
~------------------ cd