New-York tribune., 1921-05-15

dHH TUFFED animals will never be the
same again. All the fascination of
~ their glittering eyes, the realism Of
their erouching figures, the feroc-
ity Of their yawning jaws hold no thrill of
1 tear for us now. We have been behind the
scenes Of the American Museum of Natural
History and we know the stuff of which they
are made
No stir of Imagination can swerve our COM
mon sense verdict Of glass when we look
IN their eyes We shall control the. instinc-
i've lifting of our hair as the beast seems
about to spring at US by trying to figure
whether the taxiderrnist used wire screening
or excelsior to build it's frame,
The old fascination is gone, it is true The
beasts are not what they used to be. But in
place Of the old mingled wonder, horror and
asonishment has come new interest. The
difference is that between the admiration a
beauty loving person may have for fine pic
tares and the critical pleasure of a con-
nOsseur IN yiewing~an exhibition.
There is a certain satisfaction in knowing
how the realistic effects are attained The
mounting of the animals themselves, although
~seS td4It5 ~ Oliiy pdEt O1 LllG pEOCSSS6S
Leading up to the effects.
In charge of the department of preparation
and exhibition is Laurence Vail Coleman, and
with permission to go behind closed doors we
made our way to his Office. Just outside we
encountered an immense alligator and q croco-
fie They gave US considerable of start
because then we had not been initiated into
me secrets Of their dead ferocity
Within, the Office was as neat as pin. Be-
sides sbookshelves and cabinets there Were
rows on rows of colored liquids in bottles.
Ord whose excelsior insides were getting
aggy lay on a shelf. A mouse whose hide
was slightly worn reposed on the desk. And
n one OF the darker corners two snakes raised
'Aef heads-calm creatures made of wax.
Ihe story behind the displays as they are
PUT on exhibition in the museum goes back
often to plans made months, and even years,
. advance" said Mr.. Coleman. Usually
persons not connected with the museum who
sshd IN animals for mounting send only the
sklns, and sometimes this makes the work of
se1tng them into shape rather difficult. This
Aha OF exhibition, however, is represented in
Singse specimens usually. The larger dis
gsys are the work of careful collecting and
pisnning IN the most scientific way.
lust for instance, wen take trip to col
eet for the insect group Two or three per-
@nS make ready to go afield to get material.
ae talent required in helpers on the expedi-
sun includes Photography, landscape artistry
sna ioNage makers. A spot is selected that
sypical Of the insect TO be portrayed The
~ ot the land, the background, the fore
e'Ound and the size and height of bushes and
Nses must be considered with d view to
gasshef the reproduction of the spot will fit
4'so museum case when completed.
monographs arc taken of the spot, Then,
0e1ore things are trampled down. flowers and
saass = y are collected If there are trees, some
i she branches may be taken and some of
=, e PARK IS stripped. Samples of the soil are
aaeh and the color of rocks, if there are any,
: noted While this is being done an artist
AaAes color and line sketches for reference
! Wofk ON the group. If there is water on
= spof It must be measured and it's turpidity
'Sssu VI course, besides these details the
.s''ector gathers specimens Of the insect he
studying.
~, everything that will not keep is treated
~ preservative. The articles are carefully
+ ~ away SO that when they are unpacked
tss =. Wlu be in the best sort Of condition.
nacR at the museum the group is made
r. * Inc seene is reproduced on a truck,
s..'sn car be rolled in and out. The back
Il asanu Is painted on the back of the case.
81 Aoreground is laid out on the truck with
s"a'lees tor the topography of the place