REPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1923. 113 



in as many phases as space would allow. During the year the bul- 

 letin boards at the entrance to the wood court were changed to 

 show wood gi'owth and structure, age of trees, statistics giving 

 amount of lumber produced by kinds, and by states, the lumber used 

 in the manufacture of veneers, and other wood-using industries. 



PRESENT CONDITIOX OF THE COLLECTIONS. 



With the exception of slight fading of certain textile fabrics which 

 are affected by the light, and the discoloration of certain food sam- 

 ples due to exposure to light and heat, there has been but very little 

 deterioration of either the exhibit or study materials. 



The present condition of the medical collection is good, (^nly 

 expected deteriorations are noticeable. 



Most of the collections illustrating chemical industries and the 

 use of organic raw materials are very old, having been on exhibition 

 over 30 years, and naturally suffer by comparison with modern speci- 

 mens. Man}' of the contributors of these have been invited to renew 

 the exhibits, and a most hearty response has been made to this invi- 

 tation, 



RESEAUCII AND STUDIES CAUKIED ON AT THE MUSEUM. 



For the Benefit of the Museum. — As much time as could be spared 

 from routine work has been given by the curator and one assistant, 

 to the preparation of comprehensive technical definitions of textile 

 fabrics based upon authentic specimens in the Museum's collections. 

 This has meant the careful examination of all available current tex- 

 tile literature, as the technical mill and trade terms used in older 

 works of reference are often not in accord with those in current use 

 in the United States. A little progress has been made toward the 

 completion of a fabrics glossary based on actual specimens, as the 

 Museum's collection of named textiles has been steadily increased. 



The assistant curator, section of wood technology, prepared, 

 upon request, a table of densities of twenty-nine foreign woods on 

 the American market for inclusion in the revision of the Smithsonian 

 Physical Tables. 



The Use of the Museuni's CoVections and Facilities hy Visitors and 

 a orresfondents. — Numerous visitors made inquiry at the curator's 

 office in search of special information suggested by the exhibits, and 

 made particular use of the technical books on textiles, woods, and 

 drugs in the sectional libraries. The curator and assistant curators 

 furnished special information on industrial raw materials and the 

 identification of specimens, from time to time during the year, to 

 the Bureaus of Chemistry and Plant Industry, United States De- 

 l)artment of Agriculture. The identification of specimens of fibres 

 and fabrics, gums, resins, seeds, and woods for numerous individuals, 

 both in and out of the Government service, has been a regular part 



