REPORT OF FATIONAli MUSEUM, 1919. 19 



The distribution of duplicates, mainly to schools and colleges for 

 educational purposes, aggregated 3,441 specimens, of which 1,378 

 were contained in seven regular sets of fossil invertebrates averag- 

 ing 47 specimens each and six regular sets of moUusks of 174 speci- 

 mens each. The balance comprised 19 special lots, consisting of ma- 

 rine invertebrates, reptiles, fishes, fossils, minerals and ores, stone 

 unplements, and basketry specimens. 



In making exchanges for additions to the collections, a total of 

 5,227 duplicate specimens were distributed. These consisted largely 

 of plants. 



Material sent out to specialists for study on behalf of the Museum 

 amounted to 19,851 specimens, mainly biological. 



War collections. — In furtherance of its extensive historical ex- 

 hibits, the Museum, early in the year, through cooperation with the 

 War and Navy Departments, undertook the assembling and installa- 

 tion of a collection of materials connected with the World War, which 

 will form one of its most important collections and may, ultimatelyj 

 require a separate building. It is proposed to perpetuate the part 

 taken by the United States in this war by preserving and exhibiting 

 objects graphically illustrating the military, naval, and aerial activi- 

 ties not only of our own side of the conflict but of that of our op- 

 ponents as well. 



The value of such a collection can not be overestimated from the 

 popular or the scientific standpoint, not only forming a fitting and 

 serviceable supplement to the written and printed records relating 

 to the histor)^ of the war, but constituting a most notable memorial 

 to the patriotic individuals who have contributed to the preservation 

 of civilization. It will also be of the highest value for historical and 

 scientific research. 



The scope of this exhibit includes not only the general and in- 

 dividual military and naval equipment of the various branches of the 

 service, but accessories of all kinds, military and naval decorations 

 and medals, commemorative medals of notable events, mementos, 

 trophies, pictorial and printed material, manuscripts, and other ob- 

 jects relating to the war in all its phases. 



As the National History Building was closed and every available 

 foot of space in it assigned to the Treasury Department, the material 

 received during the year for the War Collections was mainly in- 

 stalled in the Arts and Industries Building. Some of the large and 

 heavy objects were placed in the open to the west of the building. 

 By the close of the year material for the War Collections was coming 

 in such quantity that it became necessary to also assign to this sub- 

 ject all of the central portion of the ground story and the rotunda 

 of the Natural History Building, space usually reserved for special 

 exhibitions of a very temporary nature. 



