Boros István (szerk.): A Magyar Természettudományi Múzeum évkönyve 6. (Budapest 1955)

Boros, I.: The paleontological exhibition of the Hungarian National Museum - Museum of Natural History

4Í9 history of Earth and Life. They are also excellent instruments to expel the obstinately persistent and false beliefs of even our own days in the fabulousness of the life in ancient times. This had also been what prompted our idea in the attempt to exhibit two gigantic reptiles (two dinosaurs) in life size and in the corresponding environment ; we endeavoured, as the first in this field, to build a primeval diorama. d) It follows also logically of the aboves that we cannot disregard the connection of the past with the present : a principle of decisive role in display work. We presented therefore, as many times as opportunities allowed it, also the related and recent forms alongside with the fossil plant and animal forms ; and, emphasizing the continuity of the geological processes, we have attempted to introduce the recent qualities of the Earth : the present as a consequence of the events of the past. In connection with the living world, the family trees showing the phyletic evolution of the several groups will naturally express this still more perspicuously. e) Nor could we ignore, even because of what we said above, the importance of calling attention to the fact, which, though slowly and hesitatingly, yet comes to the fore, that there are practical relations in geology and paleontology. We tried therefore with whole series of examples in the appropriate places to show and justify the idea that the numerous manifestations of our economic (and concomitantly cultural) life, — and primarily those of the explorationof sources of energy, of important raw materials for our industry, and consequently the possibility and security of their use, — depends on our geological, pre-geographical and paleontological knowledge; and principally on the correct interpretation of the relevant natural laws. — In this way, as is our profound belief, the exhibition will not only be more versatile and captivating, but will also serve the cause of the appreciation of science and scientific research work. In people who, because of the lack of suitable erudition, cannot appreciate, and will not even trust, science, such examples may well cause a certain change of attitude, and even excite more serious interest. This is by far not a question of narrowminded practicism, but of the interests of science which latter must, volens-nolens, finally be congruent with those of the nation and not with the notions of some few experts. f) It is natural and evident that we had to make due allowances for Hungarian references, both as regards the choice of material as in the writing of the texts, — even though the exhibition is of a general character. We have illustrated by a rich Hungarian material the several geological eras, both in geological and paleontological points of view. We had drawn up, as far as the present state of our knowledge permits it, the pre-geographical map of Hungary ; we have introduced the fossils of the most characteristic representatives of the prehistoric living world peopling the ancient seas of Hungary, and also the rarities found in our country of the primeval flora and fauna. g) Last but not least, we planned,' taking into consideration that the geological and paleontological terms are mostly unknown or but faultily known by a certainly large number of the visitors, to comprehensively illustrate and interpret these concepts, as an intoduction to the whole exhibition. Starting from the ancient myths and superstitious beliefs concerning the Earth and its inhabitants, we marshal the proofs of a scientific Weltanschauung, and introduce the visitor by the use of material accompained by short and lucid and readily intelligible explanations into the comprehension of terms necessary to understand