18 EEPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1908. 



carried above the ijediments of the pavilion in the shape of a circidar 

 granite wall, capped by a simple rounded dome with slate covering, 

 attaining a height of 1()2 feet 2 inches above the ground line. The 

 south pavilion contains the main entrance, sheltered by a portico sup- 

 ported by heavy Corinthian columns, of which there are 6 in the 

 outer row. Below these are the steps and platforms of the approaches 

 from the driveway, all to be built of granite. 



Aside from the south pavilion the exterior of the building is prac- 

 tically without ornamentation, and the same is true of the interior, 

 as explained below. Well-designed lines and proportions have pro- 

 duced an air of refinement most pleasing and effective, which any 

 added features in the way of embellishment could only serve to 

 depreciate. The purpose of the building is evident from the outside. 

 The window openings predominate, being everywhere, except in the 

 upper story, much wider than the intervening piers. The color 

 tone is very light. The granite for the exterior walls has come from 

 three sources. A pink or warm gray variety from Milford, Massa- 

 chusetts, has been used for the basement ; a nearly white stone from 

 Mount Airy, North Carolina, for the upper story; and a pure white 

 granite from the recently opened quarry at Bethel, Vermont, for the 

 two main stories and the south and north pavilions. Such parts of 

 the roofs as can be seen from the outside are covered with light 

 green slate, the same as will be used for the dome, which harmonizes 

 well with the stone work. 



In ground plan the building has a general rectangular outline, 

 but fundamentally it consists of three main wings joined to the south 

 pavilion in the shape of the letter T. Two series of ranges, placed 

 at right angles and comiecting with the wings near their outer ends, 

 compose the northeastern and northwestern parts of the building, 

 and help to inclose two uncovered courts, each of which is 128 feet 

 square. The interior width of the Avings is 114 feet, of the ranges 

 54 feet. In the latter the lighting is entirely from windows, and 

 thus one story succeeds another uniformly and without any openings 

 through the floors. A different arrangement was necessary for the 

 broad wings and has been worked out as follows: The lower story, 

 which has been termed the " basement," although raised several feet 

 above the adjacent street, is wholly covered by the floor of the next 

 or main story, and in the middle parts will require artificial lighting. 

 This condition, however, will not prevent the utilization of all the 

 space in this story. The middle of the eastern wing will be occupied 

 by the boilers and machinery, and that of the western by a large 

 inclosure for the storage of alcoholic specimens, while that of the 

 central wing will be used as an exhibition hall for large objects, 

 besides serving as a passageway from the north entrance to the 

 auditorium in the south pavilion. The windows will furnish light 



