Oct. 1896. Annual Report of the Director. 109 



material in that part of the Building where it is now installed, and 

 considerable re-arrangement will be demanded before this division 

 will attract any particular attention. However, there is a good deal 

 of material already collected and subject to requisition, that when 

 grouped and placed with relation to chronology, geography, develop- 

 ment of culture as well as character of instrument, will make an 

 excellent beginning. So far, the unique examples are largely from 

 Asia and Africa, although South America furnishes some very good 

 objects. Several old piano movements, a calderarpa, and a col- 

 lection of the movements of the modern piano are in place, and 

 invite a great deal of attention from the visitors. It is hoped to add 

 to the divisions of this Department within the year a tentative instal- 

 lation in fire-making and horology. 



Taxidermy. — The section of Taxidermy established during the 

 year, while without a head, in the absence in Africa of its chief work- 

 man, was not instituted in advance of requirements, for without 

 considering new work, the material that has been restored, preserved 

 and saved, is remarkable. The greatest work has been done among 

 the old mounted mammals that have been re-installed in Hall 20. 

 The entire collection purchased before the opening of the Museum 

 has been carefully restored, embellished, repaired, renovated, 

 re-mounted, etc., and presents an entirely fresh appearance. Quite a 

 number of the specimens in this collection require such treatment 

 that they have been stored awaiting the return of the Chief Taxider- 

 mist. Great care has been bestowed upon the re-poisoning of the 

 entire collection. Eighteen large mammals, mostly antelopes and 

 deer, were mounted before the African expedition started, and two 

 groups of monkeys were designed, mounted and installed in the West 

 Court. The accessories for these groups, tree trunks, branches, 

 leaves, fruits etc., were also prepared by the Museum taxidermists. 

 Quite a number of fishes, reptiles and Crustacea have been prepared 

 and mounted, and two hundred and thirty birds, mostly North 

 American, have been mounted and added to the Ornithological col- 

 lections. The Curator of Ornithology has prepared sketches and 

 details for a heron and a duck group on which work is now in 

 progress. 



Photography. — Notwithstanding the poor quarters and lighting of 

 the only available place for photographic work, much has been 

 accomplished. The importance and need of such a section in the 

 Museum is fully exemplified in the demand which has been made 

 upon it from all departments for the illustration of publications and 



