The San Francisco call., 1909-11-14

collected and chests in which to place
these. Shipments to the museum are
made en- route as frequently as prac-
ticable. AS two expeditions are at
present in the field-one in Nevada and
one in Alaska-most Of this outfit is
now in use.
A device of special Importance in
shooting small game is a 32 caliber
tube, about or inches in length,
which fits into the bore of 16 gauge
shotgun at the breech. This Is used
for firing an extra long Winchester
cartridge loaded with No. 2 dust shot.
which is deadly in it's effect, but does
not injure the plumage of birds or the
skins of small animals.
The feature possessing greatest in
tereSt for outsiders, and the only por-
tion of the museums contents which
will be open to the public. Is the ex-
hibit of large mammals now. being
mounted and installed in the southern
section of the first floor, beneath the
high glass roof and the gallery already
described. The unique arrangement
here employed is worthy of special
mention, never having been used else
where. The specimens are placed be-
hind plate glass, each group against a
painted background portraying its nat
ural surroundings, and are Illuminated
from above. while the observers view
chem from the darkened corridor run
ming around this central oblong. The
effect is remarkably pleasing and real
istic. Against the opposite walls Of
the corridor will be placed similar ex-
hibits lighted from above by electricity.
In case the sunlight from the glass
roof proves detrimental to the central
groups it may be found advisable to in
terpose low ceiling and employ only
artificial light for this entire collection.
A typical family of California sea
lions and a beautiful group of white
mountain sheep from Alaska have al
ready been put in place. and the back
ground is being painted by Theodore
Hittell, the San Francisco artist. Sew
eral groups of bears of different kinds
will also grace this public exhibit. The
taxidermic work is being done by j.
Rowley, formerly of the American
Museum of Natural History in New
York.
AS stated before modern taxidermy
is very different from that of a gen.
Grafton ago. These large specimens are
not stuffed in the old fashion. The
process is begun by making a rudi-
mentary wooden framework, or core, of
given proportions and wrapping about
1t excelsior, which is bound in place
with twine. Over this crude formation
soft modelling clay is laid, the operator
working methodically from measure
ments already taken and from authen-
tic models and gradually shaping the
correct image. When this Is completed
to his satisfaction plaster cast of it
is made, and it is this hollow cast upon
which the prepared skin of the original
animal is finally mounted by means OF
glue. Rocks and stones used for en-
hancing the realistic effect of the fore
ground in these picturesque exhibits
are also counterfeited in the form Of
plaster casts, which can be suitably
colored and are much more easily han
died than the real objects could be.
1t can readily be seen that such COM
plicated and artistic work as this, in
order to be OF scientific value. must
be performed by technical experts. and
that the expense entailed here and in
all the other departments OF this In
stitution, II its purposes are to be car
ried forward, must be considerable. A
vast amount of unprepared material Is
on hand and more Is continually COM
ing In. and 1t Is greatly to the credit Of
the small force in charge that so much
has already been accomplished A year
ago this museum was not even thought
of and the university possessed only
the small geological exhibit, which oc-
cupied limited space in South hall,
and which WI remain there with the
exception OF Zoo research specimens
transferred to the new building.
As stipulated in the terms of the en-
dowment, the collections are to be con-
fined to vertebrates. OF those so far
obtained birds are the most numerous.