60 REPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1922.- 



which is more free and less formal, greatly to the improvement of 

 the general appearance. Progress has also been made with adding 

 to and renovating the exhibition series of smaller Australian mam- 

 mals. These Australian specimens, together with others needed in 

 various parts of the exhibition series, bring the total number mounted 

 during the year up to 21. This total includes a lion mounted by 

 order of the Secretary for the Roosevelt Memorial Association, a 

 specimen on*which our taxidermist force cheerfully worked overtime 

 in order to have it ready at the desired date. Practically no progress 

 has been made with renovating, rearranging, or improving other 

 parts of the exhibition series, and, as already explained, no marked 

 improvement will be possible so long as present conditions continue. 



Good progress has been made in routine curatorial work on the 

 various collections. 



In the division of mammals the most important work of this kind 

 has been the general overhauling of the unmounted larger cetacean 

 material. This very valuable collection had been for many years 

 stored in the basement of the northeast pavilion of the arts and 

 industries building. Later it was brought over to a room next to the 

 taxidermists in the east court of the natural history building. 

 Nothing could be done with it, however, until the past winter, when 

 by putting up two shelves along the east side of the room, each 

 30 feet long by 3 feet wide, a space was provided where much of 

 the material could be arranged. The entire collection was then 

 overhauled by Mr. Mirguet, who had personal knowledge of many 

 of the specimens, the thick deposit of dust with which the bones 

 had become encrusted was washed off, and each individual bone was 

 legibly numbered by Mr. Poole, with the result that the material is 

 now for the first time in many years in condition to be used. During 

 the year 2 unit, 4 half-unit, and 24 quarter-unit cases have been 

 provided as increased facilities for taking care of the study series 

 of mammals. Twelve of the quarter-units were placed in the attic 

 to help alleviate the overcrowded condition of the large skulls and 

 skeletons; the other cases have been used for skins in the second 

 floor northwest range. Satisfactory work has been accomplished 

 in rearranging those parts of the collection which could be spread 

 into these new cases. Though in general the arrangement is as good 

 as circumstances will permit, the serious overcrowding of the general 

 collection of skins is a menace to the welfare of the collection. This 

 unfavorable condition, which is steadily increasing, can be ade- 

 quately done away with in no other manner than by the providing 

 of the galleries according to estimates and plans submitted February 

 21, 1911. Preparatorial work on the study collection has progressed 

 in a very satisfactory manner. A rotary drum for use in tanning 



