
The Discovery of the Historic Herbarium in 1999 An Article by Hillsdale College Professor, Daniel M. Fisk From the Hillsdale Herald of March 20, 1879 The Hillsdale College Museum: Its History, Donors, Growth, Present Condition and Outlook (Hillsdale Herald, 1879) The Old Cabinet It was a frequent remark at the time of the college fire [1873] that the burning of the "cabinet" was one of the most serious losses, be¬cause the collections could not be replaced. The remark had much of truth in it. A museum, like a library, grows slowly, espe¬cially when accumulated chiefly by donation. So far as we know, there was no "catalogue" of the old cabinet collections, so the number of specimens burned is not known. The specimens were arranged in some eight or nine double cases in a long room in West Hall, lower floor. They were uniformly mounted on black cherry blocks, about 3 x 3 inches, sustaining yellow card labels. There must have been several hundred simple minerals, and the collection was particularly rich in foreign ores of iron and polished agates. The number of paleontological specimens was very meager, although there were a few good Ward casts of the larger fossil animals. The herbarium numbered some hundred plants, mounted on all sizes of paper, and named in no uniform manner. There were few "curiosities": a set of inferior physiological charts, and a magnificent, articulated skeleton. Just previous to the fire a vigorous effort was being made to in¬crease the Natural History collections. Dr. E. K. Abbott of California had brought back to his Alma Mater a fine box of mis¬cellaneous specimens. Three hundred bird skins had been prepared for mounting by Rev. D. D. Mitchell, the students, and the in¬structor of the department. Alcoholic specimens were being added, and the whole cabinet was in process of removal to more commodious quarters, when the 6th of March burned all that was combustible and buried the rest in the ashes and bricks of old West Hall. After The Fire In answer to appeals for specimens, sent out by Prof. Fowler, as chairman of a faculty committee, several valuable boxes were soon received. Mr. H. C. Baggerly of the class of '64, Corunna, Michigan, was the first to respond to the misfortune of the col¬lege and shared with it his private collection. Messrs, Tuttle and Harwood, of Lincoln, Nebraska, followed with a valuable dona¬tion. Wabash College, Crawfordsville, Indiana, gave 69 ores, etc., and during the summer following the fire there were selected from the Brown University museum about 100 minerals and 300 named and classified shells. Prof. Alexander Agassiz sent 13 sharks from his father's captures in the Hassler expedition, and Vice Chancellor Dawson of Mcgill College, Montreal, donated an inter¬esting suit of Psylophyta and allied Devonian plants from Gaspé. These collections were stored for a while in No. 38 East Hall, on temporary shelves. When this was invaded by the cutting off of the building for the east wall of the new college hall, they were removed and boxed up. Subsequently most were used before a class in No. 1 basement of College Hall, previous to the completion of Knowlton Hall. Several people made the interesting discovery that Hillsdale College was poor after the fire, but nowhere was this more appar¬ent than to the homeless new museum. The college had no money for cases, and none were built till four years after the fire. The unavoidable injury done the specimens during this time is not a pleasant subject to recall. Growth Despite the unfortunate condition of the collections in 1876-7 the museum still persisted in growing. Miss Libbie Cilley, foreign missionary, who had been a faithful worker in the "bird and insect campaign" of 1873, on the return of Rev. James L. Phillips from India sent to the college two large boxes of India specimens as the result of Rev. Mr. Marshall's, Dr. Bacheler's and her own col¬lecting. The department instructor visited the Upper Peninsula of Michigan with the legislative excursion party of 1875 and made a somewhat extensive collection of copper and iron specimens, with the surrounding rocks. Rev. L. D. Boynton brought back a valuable lithological collection from East Tennessee, and the Smithsonian Institute donated 256 species of fresh water mollusks. The names of a large number of individual donors appear on the catalogue, including repeated donations by Prof. Mauck of reptiles, Ohio fos¬sils, iron ores, etc., New York fossils by C. E. Mitchell of '75, minerals by Hermon E. Cook, J. T. Eggers, O. G. Augir, '77, F. H. Bailey, '73, Edith Walbridge, '78, Prof. A. C. Rideout, C. C. Durgin, '80, J. A. Weitz, '76, R. L. Stillman, '76, C. C. McDermid, '65, D. Beckwith and others. Hon. Henry Hall, on removing from the city left for the museum a suite of thirty or more beautiful lavas from the Sandwich Islands, illustrating the stalagmitic forms of dropping and cooling lava, native sulphur, etc. The Amphictyon and Union societies donated also their specimens that survived the fire, which, though not nu¬merous, were quite valuable. Mr. Cassius Winsor gave a very con¬siderable collection of Trenton fossils, the gathers of his school days, and Col. Fowler of the board of trustees, secured, while in Missouri, a good collection of Joplin galenite and the country rock that carries the lead. Less than a dozen specimens were worth preserving of the cabinet that went down in the fire, although more than a hundred were dug out from the ruins in the hope of finding some ores that were not discolored. The New Museum The room assigned to the Natural History collections in Knowlton Hall is 48 x 30 x 20 and is on the ground floor. A gallery goes entirely around the room, giving virtually two stories for wall cases. The room is lighted by eight windows and entered from the hall on about the level of the gallery floor. The first wall case was built June, 1878, at the expense of Prof. Bruce Hunting, '73, of Berea College, Kentucky. The second case was put up at the expense of Hon. J. C. Patterson, '64, Marshall, and the three following from the proceeds of the lecture of Prof. Collier, '64, arranged for by L. P. Reynolds. The glazed sashes of the Amphictyon book-cases were saved at the time of the fire, and in June, '78, donated to the museum, as also were so many of the Alpha sashes as were saved. Small gifts of money from many graduates, in answer to an appeal for the museum, enabled the curator to have several cases finished, to which these sashes were hung; so that Commencement of 1878 there were eight gallery cases completed, covered by eighteen glass doors, and one temporary case, 30 x 6 feet, below, without glass, beside the herbarium. Recent Donations The mineralogy class of 1877-8 set a good example to their succes¬sors by purchasing a $50 collection of rocks, covering almost the entire list of primitive rocks of the United States, selected by Prof. C. H. Hitchcock of the New Hampshire state geological sur¬vey. The summer vacation of '78 was chiefly devoted by the curator in collecting for the museum in New Hampshire, Canada and New York. Rev. A. A. Myers of this city, an assiduous student of nature, has added one of the richest collections as the result of his Kentucky geologizing - an extensive suit of quartz geodes and calcareous incrustations, stalactites, fossil animals and plants. Were all the friends of the college as faithful, as fortunate and as gener¬ous as Mr. Myers, the museum would soon be full. On the death of Mr. H. C. Baggerly, at the suggestion of the fac¬ulty of the college, his father made a further donation to the "Baggerly Collection" of several valuable additions, including the head of an Egyptian mummy and the skeleton of a Chinaman. Dr. Daniel Beebe, who has always been greatly interested in the growth of the museum, has several times made contributions, the latest of which is a brace of excellently preserved flint-lock holster pistols. Mr. Richard Lawrence of India has solved the difficulty of sending specimens to the museum by repeatedly forwarding by mail the skins of venomous snakes - the cobra di capello, etc. The elegant butternut and cherry Union Hall book and cabinet case that has stood useless for five years was, in December, generously given to the college by the society. The original cost is said to have been $250, and the case has been put up bodily in the north gallery with a loss of only the base, for want of height, afford¬ing seven sections and furnishing the most ornamental and best lighted case in the room. Credit is due Messrs, J. S. Pulsifer and H. B. Mead of this city for their donation of work in putting up this latest and best addition to the museum. Lee E. Brown No historical sketch of the growth of the museum would be complete without the recognition of the large donations of Lee E. Brown, Paleontologist, of the class of '75, West Bethany, N.Y. More than two-thirds of the paleontological collections now belonging to the college are either directly the collection of, or secured by Mr. Brown, and all have the benefit of his naming. Mr. Brown, follow¬ing his graduation, was two years or more with Prof. James Hall, state geologist of New York, and both while with him and much more since has never forgotten his Alma Mater. It is perhaps not to much to say that Mr. Brown has given one year's time to collecting and naming specimens for the museum since his graduation, and that gratuitously. The fossils bearing the "credit" of "Lee E. Brown Collection" are now more than four times as numerous as all the paleontolgocal specimens of the old college cabinet. And with gratitude we are able to write, "The end is not yet." If one alumnus shows so much loyalty, will not all the rest of the alumni show a little? The Museum As It Is In judging of the museum it should be borne in mind that five years ago there was neither specimen, shelf nor room, and that the college has sever spent one dollar for the purchase of specimens since the fire, nor but a small amount for the furnishing of cases and paying of freights. The specimens have all been donated ei¬ther by undergraduates, alumni and patrons, or collected by the instructor. It is a matter of surprise and congratulations, on the part of returning absentees, to see a collection fully twice the size of the former cabinet, built up in five short years out of nothing. It speaks well for the graduates of the college to observe that the names of the donors are chiefly alumni. On entering the museum, the Bruce Hunting case stands at the left, sections 2111 and 2121. (The sections are numbered for use, of the four figures, e.g., 2864, the 2 locates the specimen in the gallery in distinction from a floor case (1). The 8 refers to case eight, "Union case," the 6 to the section of that case, and 4 to the shelf, counting from the bottom. The serial catalogue num¬bers are always in King's yellow or Emerald green paint, upon the specimen. This case contains the Smithsonian contribution of fresh water gasteropids, and the Brown University Lamellibranchs, etc., in all about 550 entries, all named and recorded. The next case, 2211-6, "Laurentian," contains eighty three excellent speci¬mens from the Laurentian rocks, chiefly from New Hampshire. It is interesting to think, while looking at the "rough and half-mixed gneisses" of this section, that these are the oldest rocks known to science, existing substantially as they now are, ages before Alps or Himalayas were lifted into existence. The interesting study of the eozoic rocks has only within a very few years taken its place along with the consideration of the later rocks, and Hillsdale students are now able to "go to nature" as it was in this far-off day when the earth was young. Case 2221-6, "Montalban," contains a good selection of the highly metamorphoric rocks of this ancient period, 94 in number. The most interesting series is the graphite-bearing rocks that give us the hint of an extinct fossil vegetation of which no trace remains save this "greasy blackness," the extreme stage of carbon metamor¬phism. A single specimen of especial interest is the rough, tem¬pest-gnawed "top-stone" of Mr. Washington, N. H., secured by Rev. Milo J. Coldren, '75, and Prof. J. H. Butler. Case 2311-6 and 2321-6 contain the principal part of the mineral¬ogy class collection from the New Hampshire state geological sur¬vey, 190 specimens, "Labrador Huronian" and later rocks. This gift is worth far more to the college than the $50 that it cost. A printed catalogue of all the New Hampshire specimens accompanies the collection. Section 2331-6 holds the beginnings (136 specimens) of a collec¬tion of Silurian fossils. There are many friends of the college whose homes are on Silurian country rock, who should at once see to it that this case becomes too small for this important age of paleozoic history. The case numbers several valuable species from the private cabinet of Prof. James Hall; they are from the lower Helderberg formation of New York. Devonian Fossils Cases 2411 to 2431 contain much of the Lee Brown collections of the Corniferous, Hamilton, Chemung and Catskill periods - 424 en¬tries. Two excellent specimens of the cauda galli fucoid appear on the upper "corniferous" shelf (2416) and the general collection is rich in some rare devonian plants from Quebec, the gift of Principal Dawson of Montreal. Excellent trilobites of the Hamilton shales present all that could be desired of the external appearance of these early articulates. Prof Hall has also added to the richness of this case by many specimens. This is one of the most valuable cases in the room. The southwest corner case, 2511-6, contains a part of the car¬boniferous fossils and rocks, seventy-five specimens. Two magnif¬icent slabs of fern impressions, belonging here, the gifts of Miss Lillie Weldon, will be found in case 2931. The carboniferous col¬lection over and above the calamite shales of Mr. Brown (exhaustive and very perfect) is much too small. There are many graduates in localities that will enable them to remedy this de¬fect. The "mesozoic" shelves hold but 12 specimens. It is to be hoped that someone will come to the just conclusion that this number is a trifle small for a whole geological era. The structural case 2621 has now 138 entries, but this number will soon be largely increased from specimens now on hand that are in process of labeling, numbering and recording. The case of Indian implements numbers 130 entries, not including the very recent gift of Miss Nellie Phillips, '75. Union Case Passing to the Union case, the first section, 2811, contains mostly 223 "silicates." There are many very beautiful specimens, but, like all collections that have "come together" unsystemati¬cally, there are gaps in the scientific completeness that the min¬eralogy classes of each year feel sorely. In general it may be said that there are no specimens in the mu¬seum that are not used in class work. They are not merely pretty stones to be looked at through glass, but actual objects of study and individual handling. Every topic touched upon by textbook or lecture that has no material illustration to appeal to in the cabi¬net is so much loss to the pupil. A collection of 275 minerals, covering the entire ground gone over by the mineralogy class each year, is purchasable of S. Stadtmueller, New Haven, Ct., for $100, under the approval of Profs. Dana and Brush, - (there are special terms to this museum in consideration of the college misfortune.) It is earnestly hoped that some friend of the college will honor himself and help the college by the purchase of this collection before another year. Section 2821 holds a worthy collection (172) of copper, zinc, lead and iron ores. These are all good and leave little to be desired in this especial field. The upper shelves are well worth careful study by the visitor to the museum. Section 2831 is wholly filled with the "Rev. A. A. Myers collec¬tion." Any college museum might be proud of these 87 geodes and calcites. There was nothing in the former cabinet that surpassed these in beauty. The open section next in order is being filled with alcoholic preparations of reptiles, fishes, etc. The collection is small, and feels quite as keenly as other departments the need of money for the purchase of jars and alcohol. The Agassiz selachians, Miss Cilley's scorpions, centipedes and deadly snakes of Hindostan will be found here, as also Prof. Mauck's reptilian collection. The mummy's head of the "Baggerly collection is in an excellent state of preservation, being still wrapped in 'mummy shred.'" The splendid panther skin from California, presented by Rev. Henry E. Whipple, along with many valuable Pacific shells, echinoderms, etc., will be found here. The row of skulls on shelf 2845 are four Hindoo, one mound builder, one Chinese, and one Irish, presented by Miss Cilley, Mr. Roscius Whipple and Mr. Hermon E. Cook. Section 2851-7 is devoted to a general zoological collection, which before the 1879 Commencement will greatly outgrow its case room. The jaws of a Bengal shark, the elaborately embroidered skunk skin used by chief "Spotted Tail" as a tobacco pouch, four cobra skins, the curous insects of India, two fine Venus fans from Florida (R. L. Stillman), and rare star fishes from the Pacific, a crocodile, walrus tooth, gar pike, are of especial interest. Section 2861 is filled with very interesting miscellaneous archeo¬logical collection from Hindostan, California, Africa and other countries. The ear, nose and neck ornaments, the anklets and bracelets are from India. The bow and arrows are Indian. The rice huller, spinning wheel, specimens of Hindoo writing, sacred shasters, etc., are the gift of the Hillsdale College students now missionaries. The shells and weapons in the bottom of the case were mostly Amphictyon and Union property. The last section of Union case 2871, finely displays Hon. Mr. Hall's Hawaii lavas, sixty in number, also specimens of native sulphur, and some interesting allotropic forms of carbon. Case 2911-2931 contains unclassified, large size specimens in¬sects, etc., but is to be devoted to ornithology, and it is hoped the zeal and perseverance of the present class in practical biol¬ogy will vouch for its filling during the spring months. Birds, eggs, etc., solicited; next, also which absolutely identified as to species of bird which used them. The hand-rail around the gallery is to be economised, as in most museums, by a shallow show case for shells, birds eggs and in¬sects, reaching entirely around the room. This case will be built when the museum's ship comes in, and it is to be hoped that some of the carpenters of the city will hasten that arrival by greatly needed donation of a few days work. The Museum Floor There are but two cases below, although there is the same amount of room as above for wall cases, and the center of the room for table cases. The Herbarium case, 13 x 6, containing 192 compart¬ments was mostly built previous to the fire, but had not been put in West Hall; it now occupies the southwest corner and when com¬pleted (doors are wanting) will be a case good enough and large enough for fifty years to come. There are probably from two to three hundred pressed plants ready for mounting on herbarium pa¬per. These are in part the gift of Miss Libbie Cilley, (India flora), the instructor of botany (Swiss flora), (these European plants were named at the British museum), Miss Jenkins (Wisconsin flora), and student work in Michigan plants. It is a matter of serious regret that the department has not the means to make these valuable collections available for class use. There are also in the museum fourteen large photographs con¬tributed by Prof. Hayden, U.S. geologist, illustrating the cañons of Colorado, geysers, etc. From the same source the department has just received the splendid geological atlas of Colorado. The museum is also supplied with more than a hundred colored anatomical drawings of great excellence. Prof. Garner's work is represented in the museum by the very excellent oil paintings - four of: the azoic age, the age of coal plants, the age of rep¬tiles, the mammalian age, and six oil sketches of fossils. A geo¬logical map, 13 x 6, after Hitchcock and Blake, occupies the north wall beneath the gallery. The museum without doubt now contains not less than 3000 separate entries, 2700 serial numbers being booked on the catalogue. The work of classifying, naming, mounting and arranging the balance is being pushed as fast as possible, but it will be remembered that this work, that makes so little show when accomplished, is after all very laborious and goes slowly single handed. Donors to the museum can rest assured that the department is now fully able to protect by glass all contributions for the immediate future, and it cannot be true that, where so much has been accom¬plished with so narrow means, there will not arise friends to the work who will give what the museum so gravely needs and frankly expects - money to add cases below, to purchase specimens to more perfectly preserve collections now on hand. During the vacation just closing, the museum has been tinted and painted, the cases lettered and numbered, many hundred specimens unboxed, labelled, and the whole classified and rearranged. What Can Be Done? No friend of the college is powerless to aid the museum in some way or other, by rocks, animals, minerals, eggs, insects, things curious and things useful - especially money. All heavy specimens should come long or short distances by freight, and not by ex¬press. Bird skins and many valuable single mineral specimens can be sent by mail. If every one interested in the successful in¬struction of the college would only feel that a good library is worth an additional professor, and a good museum worth another, they would certainly do their small or large part to endow these silent chairs. That the present museum is very creditable to the college, "considering" is not a subject of dispute. Why is it too much to expect that this summer there shall be a movement all along the line? that each alumnus will do what he can, students and patrons ditto? Contributions are promised in the immediate future by Mr. J. E. Williams, '75, Galion, O., Dr. E. K. Abbot, '69, Salinas, Cal., Rev. H. E. Whipple, Kibesillah, Cal., Dr. O. R. Bacheler, India and L. E. Brown always. Let the roll increase and if nothing else suggests commute your sentence in the current coin of the realm. Those who would like to contribute, but are not certain what to do or how specimens are to be prepared are invited to correspond with the curator. Mineral specimens ought to be 4 x 4 x 1 or 3 x 3 x 1 - better larger than smaller; rocks the same. The name of the lo¬cality is often a very important item in the value of a specimen, but not always. Duplicates, or even a larger number of one kind of good specimens are often just as valuable as different kinds, since they are in constant demand in exchange. Twenty first-class specimens of one kind are not necessarily too many. |








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