New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1911-04-14
MURAL PAINTINGS TO STAY
American Museum Will Keep
TayIor'S Artistic Work on View.
RISKEDLIFE AMONG SAVAGES
First Specimens of Elephant
Seal from Guadalupe Island
Ready To Be Exhibited.

The statement was made yesterday II
the American Museum OF Natural History
that all opposition on the part OF the more
ultra-scientiic brothers at the INSTITUTION
10 the mural paintings by VIII s.. Taylor
had subsidized, and that the work OF this
young artist would be accepted as unique
feature. The opposition had been based. y
was said, on the contention that the
museum was for strictly scientific exhibits
while Mr. Taylor's work belonged TO the
realm Of art
The obstructionists have been convinced
that his paintings depicting the life ano
arts OF the strange people whose crude
implements are on display IN the cases IN
the museum. have n real scientific and
educational value In that they reveal more
fully the habits Of these strange people
hitherto only limited at by the fragmentary
evidences OF their existence shown In the
mere labelled relics Of their past.
The first four paintings TO be put IN
place relate 70 the life OF the Chilkat Ind
ians on the Alaskan Coast. Mr.. Taylor
spent weeks among the Indians with
camera and sketch book. getting first hand
glmpses OF their ways. He had TO do
most of his work covertly. for on several
occasions when they became aware tha'
he was sketching them he was summary
elected from their colony. and escaped more
serious violence only through the liberia
use Of discretion The Indians he ex-
plained, have a sipersttious fear OF having
pictures made OF them. as they believe Il
has malign influence on their souls They
become enraged enough to kill any one who
tries to violate this prejudice.
Mr.. Taylor's first four nictures are en-
titled The Canoe Builders" THE Blanket
Weavers. THE Buttermakers" and The
Breadmakers." being the four most i'm
portant Industries among the Chilkats
They are large panels. showing the groups
In life size and are placed on the walls as
background for the actual implements
and specimens OF the products Of the Ind
ian workers Displayed. They also depict
the scenery Of the habitat OF the Indians
so that complete conception OF their life
and appearan G may be mad by the visitor
Announcement was also made yesterday
that the first specimens OF an almost ex
tinct species. the elephant seal. had beer
received and would soon he mounted FOL
display. These animals were thought tc
be extinct until herd OF them was dis
covered on Guadaloupe Island, OF the Pa
cifc coast OF Mexico. by the government
expedition on board the Albatross in Feb
ruary last. A hundred years ago they ex
listed in vast numbers. the announcement
saws. but were almost annihilated througf
ndiscrir1inate slaughter for the sake OF
getting the deep layer Of blubber. six OF
seven inches thick. which Yields An OF
superior 70 the whales. An important in
dustry would have been saved. II is said
II government conservation had restricted
the slaughter
The specimens received az the museum
for mounting are more than sixteen feet
long. They are the largest known mem
bers Of the seal family. exceeding even th'
walrus in size. They have prolongatior
OF the nose foot or more IN length
whence they are called elephant seals.
Another recent acquisition OF which thu
directors OF the museum are especially
proud is a restoration OF a group Of gian
ground sloths an extinct monster from
South America. Four animals are repre-
scented in the group, engag ed in attacking
tree. The largest Of the animals II
more than ten feet high. The restoration
and grouping are the work OF Erwin
Chr;stnan. the head preparation OF N.
museum.