REPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1914. 91 



Prof. Spencer F. Baird, the director of the affairs of the National 

 Museum during the first 37 years of its existence. Among them were 

 the instruments used by Prof. Baird in his research work, including 

 microscopes, a spectroscope, various types of magnifying lenses, and 

 other articles of the same general character; the decoration of the 

 Order of St. Olaf conferred upon Prof. Baird by the King of Sweden 

 and Xorway in recognition of his services to science; and a table 

 napkin used by Napoleon I during his banishment to Elba, a gift to 

 Prof. Baird by an American friend of the then exile. By the will 

 of the late Homer N. Lockwood, of Washington, the Museum received 

 a unique and valuable collection of 152 walking canes, gathered from 

 nearly all parts of the world and including much of particular inter- 

 est both historically and as to worlonanship. Mention may specially 

 be made of a gold-mounted cane presented to Grover Cleveland by 

 the Swiss Helvetia Society, of Elgin, 111. ; an ivory-headed cane given 

 to "William H. Seward on his visit to Alaska in 1869; and a silver- 

 mounted cane belonging to Capt. (Rear Admiral) Charles D. Sigs- 

 bee, United States Navy, while in command of the U. S. battleship 

 Maine. The National Society of the Colonial Dames of America 

 made a number of additions to its already large and interesting col- 

 lection deposited in the Museum. 



The collection of postage stamps, stamped envelopes, and postal 

 cards was increased by deposits from the Post Office Department to 

 the extent of about 10,000 pieces, comprising all recent issues by the 

 countries in the Universal Postal Union. The coin and medal col- 

 lection also received many valuable additions ; and the bequest of Miss 

 Lucy H. Baird included about 400 photographs of scientific men, 

 which were incorporated in the portrait collection. 



The offices of the division, formerly occupying two small rooms 

 at one side of the north entrance, were moved to more commodious 

 quarters in the west tower, where the work called for in the various 

 sections can more satisfactorily be carried on. The collections are 

 reported in good condition, though in some directions their safety is 

 difficult to maintain owing to the quantity of material, especially of 

 fabrics, subject to the attack of insect pests. 



An important task begun near the close of the year was the 

 renovation and placing in what is intended to be a permanent state 

 of preservation of "The Star-Spangled Banner" of Fort McHenry, 

 lent to the Museum some seven years ago, and last year made an 

 absolute gift by its owner. Col. Eben Appleton, of NeAv York. When 

 writing the story of this flag. Rear Achniral George Henry Preble, 

 who had it in his possession for a short time, caused it to be mounted 

 on a piece of rather heavy canvas, to which it was only partlj'' at- 

 tached. This light and much frayed piece of bunting is now being 

 fastened to a backing of Irish linen in the same manner as were the 



