REPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1921. 19 



vertebrates, fishes, birds and birds' eggs, insects, pottery, basketry, 

 and prehistoric implements. Another 10,000 specimens left the Mu- 

 seum temporarily as loans to students and investigators in many jfields 

 of science. 



The reports of the head curators in the natural history departments 

 and of the curators in the other branches of the museum, beginning on 

 page 39, give in detail the additions to and the work upon their 

 collections during the year. 



FREER COLLECTIONS. 



In the 1920 report it was noted that the building for the Freer 

 collections was nearing completion and the collections were being 

 shipped to Washington from Detroit. On April 31, 1921, the final 

 work in the construction of the building was completed by the George 

 A. Fuller Co., and the structure was formally transferred to the 

 Smithsonian Institution, being accepted on May 3, 1921, just four 

 years and seven months after ground was broken for its erection. 

 That this result was not reached earlier, as was anticipated at the be- 

 ginning, was largely due to unforeseen delays incident to the World 

 War, but the Avork was at all times conducted with that deliberation 

 and attention to details necessary to stability and permanency of 

 structure, and these it is believed have been obtained. Planned with 

 special reference to accommodating a collection whose various units 

 were known and of affording unusual facilities for study and re- 

 search, the building is an object of art in itself and is bound to become 

 a mecca for art lovers from all over the world. 



This 3'ear witnessed also the construction, under the officer in 

 charge of public buildings and grounds, of the driveways and walks 

 leading to the Freer Gallery and the seeding of the land iramedi- 

 ately surrounding it, which has now been brought up to the standard 

 of the balance of the Smithsonian Reservation. 



During the summer and autumn of 1920 the remaining portions 

 of the Freer collections were brought to Washington from Detroit 

 and stored in the building. The work of unpacking and installing 

 the specimens was begun in the late autumn, under the able direction 

 of Miss Katharine N. Rhoades, who had been associated with Mr. 

 Freer in their care for some years. It is anticipated that some time 

 must elapse before the exhibits are all in readiness and the halls can 

 be opened to visitors. 



In December, 1920, Mr. John E. Lodge, curator of the department 

 of Chinese and Japanese art in the Boston Museum of Fine Arts, 

 was appointed curator of the Freer Gallery and placed in charge. 

 The Freer Gallery is being administered as an independent unit of 

 the National Gallery of Art, but the heating, lighting, and guarding 

 of the building continues to be carried on in connection with the 



