86 stereopticon slides; drawing, lettering, and coloring of 25 maps; 

 retouching of 31 negatives, etc. ; and numerous miscellaneous items 

 such as layouts, graphs, plans, etc. The Illustrator assisted also in the 

 painting of the two large global maps used in the Museum's fiftieth 

 anniversary special exhibit, and designed the new Museum seal. 



The painting of backgrounds for habitat groups and dioramas, 

 which is the principal work of Staff Artist Arthur G. Rueckert, is 

 covered in this Report in the sections devoted to the Departments 

 of Zoology and Botany. Mr. Rueckert also did a major part of the 

 work on the hemisphere maps used in the golden anniversary 

 exhibit, and assisted in various other projects. 



Art Classes . . . 



The Museum continued, as for many years past, to perform a 

 useful function by providing facilities for the use of both adult and 

 child students in classes brought here by the School of the Art 

 Institute of Chicago. It is particularly gratifying that these two 

 institutions should be able to co-operate so successfully. The art 

 students found in this Museum much material which assisted them 

 in their studies in composition, drawing, painting, research, design, 

 sketching, and modeling. Large classes of children from the art 

 school's Saturday Junior Department make natural history studies 

 at this Museum a standard part of their curriculum. 



Cafeteria . . . 



The Museum Cafeteria served 93,811 visitors, a slight decline 

 from the 95,002 who bought meals in 1942. The rooms provided 

 for those who bring their own lunches accommodated more persons 

 than in the preceding year— 87,327 in 1943 as against 81,184 in 

 1942. In these rooms the Cafeteria management provides sand- 

 wiches, desserts, and soft drinks, to supplement the box lunches 

 brought by patrons, who are principally children. 



Maintenance and Construction . . . 



Despite war-engendered shortages of material and reduced per- 

 sonnel, the Museum building was properly maintained, and the most 

 vital new projects were completed. 



In the Library, some furniture was rebuilt and some new equip- 

 ment made. Shop work was done for the Harris Extension on case 



<69- 



