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Contents

The Field Of Education In The National Parks

The Educational Program And Its Place In National Parks Administration

Museums In The National Parks

Planning A Park Museum

Museum Technique

Administration Of Park Museums

Nature Trails

Exhibits In Place

Guiding In The National Parks

Lectures In National Parks

Scientific Aspects Of The Park Protection Program

The Research Program In The National Parks

Use Of Recorded Scientific Data

Research Reserves

Publications

Libraries In The National Parks

Photography And Visual Education

General Administrative Problems





Proceedings Of The First Park Naturalists' Training Conference Held At Educational Headquarters, Berkeley, California:
November 1-30, 1929
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MUSEUM TECHNIQUE


GENERAL CONSIDERATION OF MUSEUM PREPARATION OF WILD LIFE COLLECTIONS

By Dorr G. Yeager

1. PLANTS: Several methods of preparation of plants for exhibition purposes have been used in the past. Good exhibits have been prepared by placing plants carefully pressed in Rikor Mounts and displaying them in racks prepared especially for the purpose. This is one of the most effective and simple of all the exhibits.

Some exceptionally fine work has been carried out in wax flowers at the different museums throughout the country. I have in mind an exhibit at the Field Museum in Chicago. Fungi have yielded well to this method of treatment. However, the wax preparation is an exceptionally difficult one and unless some one from the outside is brought in for the express purpose of making wax vegetation it is not advisable to attempt extensive work of this sort.

Another method of preparing material, especially for use in cases where vegetation is required, is the processing method. In this case, the vegetation is placed in a solution of acetone, glycerine and alcohol for a certain period. After the vegetation has been left in this solution for several days it is removed, thoroughly washed, and dried. It is then painted the desired color, as the solution has the tendency to bleach the foliage. It is desirable to use a small spray brush in this painting for the sake of saving time. This method, although it sounds complicated, is simple and easily carried through. When treated in this manner the vegetation lasts for an indefinite period in a good state of preservation. Complete instructions for this method are to be found in Rowley's "Taxidermy and Museum Technique."

2. STUDY SKINS AND MOUNTED SPECIMENS: There seems to be very little which can be said in a paper of this type on the preparation of mounts and study skins. The methods of mounting vary greatly, as do the effects obtained. Only practice makes a taxidermist, coupled with powers of observing the natural positions of the living specimen. Many books have been written on this subject but it is not possible to make mounts from reading them. Ideas may be gained it is true, but in order to make good mounts it is necessary to practice and keep on practicing.

The matter of making study skins is less difficult, although, as in mounted specimens, practice makes perfect. The matter of study skins has been treated at length in books on the subject. Methods vary; some taxidermists prefer a "round" skin while others prefer the "flat." Needless to say, each skin should be well labeled with the name, date, locality, sex, and collector. Many skins that are too badly shot or torn to be used as mounts may be made into very presentable study skins.

In building up a collection of mounted specimens it is always advisable to keep the study skin collections in mind when collections are being made. It is a good policy to shoot at least three specimens of each species, one for the mounts and two for the study collections, hoping, of course, to obtain a male and female by this method. The study skin collections should be housed in cases especially constructed for the purpose and fumigated often. Many preparations are on the market. In Yellowstone we use carbon disulphide, replenishing the stock about twice a year.

3. REPTILES, AMPHIBIANS AND FISH: Several methods of preparing this group have been used in the past. The preserving of specimens in solutions (a method used so extensively in zoological laboratories) is used in many museums. This is by far the most simple of all the methods. It is, however, not without its drawbacks. Solutions dry up, specimens are not readily examined, etc.

Another method, which was used extensively at one time but which is now fast losing favor, is that of mounting in the same manner as birds and animals are mounted. The plaster cast and wax methods are becoming very popular, especially at the larger museums. Wonderful results are being obtained, but here again it is almost necessary to have a skilled technician. The casting is not so difficult but the painting of the cast requires an artist. During the past month I did some experimental work in making casts of fish and I was surprised at the amount of detail which can be brought out. I worked on an eastern brook trout and the skin design was nearly as perfect on the completed cast as on the fish itself. The above methods are, of course, limited to the exhibit specimens. For study collections of amphibians, rep tiles and fish, it is necessary to place them in solutions where they may be taken out and examined. It is perfectly possible, especially if the specimen is rare, to utilize it as a model for casting and place it in the study collection afterward. The solution to be used in the case of preserving these specimens is 5% of the commercial 40% formeline. It is advisable to inject the specimen full of the solution in addition to placing it in the liquid.

References:

"Manual for Small Museums" -- Coleman
"Taxidermy and Museum Technique" - Rowley
Proceedings of A.A,M., Vol. III 1909
Proceedings of A.A.M., Vol. VII 1913




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