104 REPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1919. 



half of the specimens have been assembled, numbered, labeled, and 

 wrapped, ready for packing. 



The study series in physical geologj^ has been rearranged, but 

 some work still remains to be done in the way of cleaning and 

 labeling. 



To make space for some of the larger objects of the war col- 

 lections the miscellaneous large masses of iron ore that have for 

 years lain at the west front of the arts and industries building were 

 transferred to the east side of the natural history building. The 

 arrangement can not be said to be satisfactory, and it is recom- 

 mended that space be prepared for them along the adjoining curb 

 to the east. 



A series of wall charts, or labels, giving the salient features of dis- 

 tribution and genesis of the principal metals has been completed. 

 The subjects include gold, silver, copper, lead and zinc, and iron, 

 each chart being hung on the wall adjacent to the case in which 

 the material characterized is exhibited. 



Systmatic research, under the conditions imposed upon a head 

 curator, naturally progresses but slowly. Incidental to his work 

 sundry preliminary publications have been made, practically all 

 relating to meteorites. A second report on the investigations under 

 a grant from the J. Lawrence Smith fund of the National Academy 

 of Science is in press, and two comprehensive papers dealing with 

 the history of geological science in America are pending. 



Much of the head curator's time was devoted to activities in con- 

 nection with the war, brief mention of which was made in last 

 year's report. While not strictly research on the collections, it is 

 thought advisable to insert here a summary of this work. 



Early in the spring of 1918 there unexpectedly arose a demand on 

 the part of the naval experimental station at New London, Connecti- 

 cut, for a considerable quantit}^ of clear quartz crystals. As the Mu- 

 seum's supply was not sufficient, the head curator was authorized to 

 visit the principal museums and cities of various States in an effort 

 to procure a larger quantity, and was later requested to secure any 

 suita'ble quartz that might come under his observation during a 

 prospective trip into North Carolina. Shortly after the National 

 Research Council asked that he assume the responsibility of finding 

 a sufficient supply of the needed material from whatever sources 

 might be found available. The matter was, therefore, taken up 

 systematically through correspondence, and at the same time, 

 through the interposition of Secretary Walcott and the State De- 

 partment, information was sought regarding the supply that might 

 be obtained from Brazil. The results of the work can best be 



