36 REPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1923. 



The third year of the exploration of ancient Pueblo Bonito to 

 which the National Geographic Society has devoted $75,000 was 

 under the curator of American archeology, Neil M. Judd, productive 

 of a number of specimens now deposited in the Museum. 



The journeys of Doctor Hrdlicka to Brazil and Europe resulted in 

 enriching the collections of the division of physical anthropology. 



In June Matthew W. Stirling of the division of ethnology carried 

 on an exploration of several ancient villages at Mobridge, S. Dak., 

 and collected a valuable series of material for the Museum, which at 

 the time of writing had not reached Washington. 



WORK OF PRESERVING AND INSTALLING THE COLLBCTIONS — PRESENT CONDITION OF COLLEC- 

 TIONS. 



Increasing care and forethought are required in maintaining mu- 

 seum material, and the diversified character of the objects in the 

 Museum renders this a highly specialized branch of scientific work. 



In ethnology careful watch was maintained in regard to possible 

 deterioration of specimens through the agencies of rust, direct sun- 

 light, and insects, with the result that preventative methods saved 

 perishable material from damage. Important new accessions were 

 installed durmg the period insofar as the limited exhibition space 

 would permit. Changes were made in the older exhibits from time 

 to time when such procedure seemed consistent with the scientific ar- 

 rangement of the collections. New installations have always been 

 made with the purpose of maintaining the scientific coherence of the 

 divisional exTiibits. By putting into practice methods of prevention, 

 the collections were kept in a good state of preservation. The lack 

 of i)roper storage facilities subjects some of the more imperishable 

 material to dust, a condition which cannot be remedied as long as 

 storage space remains crowded. In the few instances where poi- 

 soned skins or fabrics have lost their insect-resisting qualities in- 

 secticides were applied by Mr. Allen before damage resulted. 



Assistance was given in the installation in the National Gallery 

 of Art of the exhibition of American handicraft brought together 

 and circulated under the auspices of the American Federation of 

 Arts. The remainder of the ethnological case labels were written 

 and sent to the printer, completing this great work. 



The baskets fi'om the Navaho and Piute Indians, part of the 

 splendid collection given by Miss Ella F. Hubby, were installed in 

 an alcove containing most of the remainder of her collection in the 

 west north range. 



Rearranging the exhibition series and reassembling of study col- 

 lections in American archeology progressed as opportunity offered, 

 in continuation of the plan adopted several years ago. This under- 

 taking was in progress as the last annual report was submitted and 



