44 REPOET OF NATIONAL, MUSEUM, 1921. 



The most advanced methods employed in the division of physical 

 anthropology for the cleaning, repair, cataloguing, identification, 

 etc., were applied to the old collections from the Army Medical 

 Museum and from other sources. The collection in general is con- 

 stantl}^ improving in all respects through intensive work continued 

 from year to year. It is the endeavor to keep abreast of the im- 

 provements in the methods of museum science and to maintain the 

 material in a state of effectiveness. Necessarily the rapid increase 

 in specimens received by the division required better facilities for 

 storage which will provide easier access to the accumulating 

 material. 



The rearrangement of the cases in art textiles greatly benefited 

 the appearance of the hall. The exhibit of laces was also much im- 

 proved by the arrangement of the specimens following the recon- 

 struction of the cases to eliminate as far as possible the entrance of 

 dust. On the south and west walls a splendid collection of oriental 

 rugs was hung. 



Plans were made for improving the installation of the collection 

 of musical instruments and dust proofing the cases. Steps were 

 taken to j^repare a catalogue and handbook, which should render 

 the exhibit of greater value to the public. 



The ceramic collection shows the results of several years' work 

 on improving the character of the exhibit. Efforts were made to 

 eliminate material not needed in the collection, much of which had 

 been collected in a haphazard manner. Noteworthy is the exhibit 

 of two cases of rare old Bohemian ruby glass donated by Mrs. C. E. 

 Danforth, of San Diego, Calif. 



The varied and important work performed in the anthropological 

 laboratory contributed materially to the benefit of the public exhibi- 

 tion. Work was carried on here which could not be performed in the 

 divisions. The necessities of the department occupied the time of the 

 laboratory except for occasional jobs of expert work for other sec- 

 tions of the Museum. Aside from current tasks, original work in 

 modeling lay figures was continued and new methods for expe- 

 diting the work were tried out. The joining of broken pottery ves- 

 sels, skeletons, and other specimens by means of adhesive cements 

 and such materials has been subject to a long investigation, and satis- 

 factory results have been reached. Many specimens which require a 

 degree of restoration were sent to the laboratory for special attention. 



RESEARCH WORK. 



The devotedness to scientific work by the personnel of the depart- 

 ment, a feature shared by the entire personnel of the National 

 Museum, is shown by the amount of research work prosecuted by the 

 staff. It is also evident that this work is not limited to the legal 

 hours of labor. 



