OCT ^ 1*01 



REPORT FOR THE YEAR 1900. 

 By R. Etheeidge, Junr., Curator. 



The following Report treats of the work performed in the 

 Australian Museum during 1900, and of the condition of the 

 Collections therein. 



General Condition and Care of Collections. 



It is with much satisfaction that I have to report that the whole 

 of the Collections, both exhibited and in store, are in an excellent 

 state of preservation. Nothing has been left undone bj the 

 Assistants-in-Charge of the various Sections to render the Collec- 

 tions as complete as the space available will permit. Wherever 

 possible, old or inferior specimens were replaced by more parfect 

 ones, many hitherto unrepresented forms were added, and par- 

 ticular attention was directed to replacing the old manuscript 

 labels by printed ones, and wherever possible these were made of 

 a descriptive nature. The almost entire absence of insect pests, 

 and the cleanly state of the specimens and case interiors is. due to 

 the unremitting care of the Assistant-Taxidermist (Mr. R, Grant) 

 and the Articulators (Messrs. H. Barnes, Junr., and A. R. Taylor). 

 Experience has taught us that the perfect condition of Museum 

 specimens, even in a warm climate, is not so much brought about 

 by the lavish scattering of disinfectants, as by constant and careful 

 examination and cleaning. To effect this, it is absolutely Jiecessary 

 to have at least one officer constantly employed in du'.ies of this 

 nature. 



It is gratifying to state that, through the perfect sanitary 

 condition in which the Museum premises are always kept, the 

 Staff was quite unaffected by the epidemic of supposed bubonic 

 plague, which raged in Australia during 1899-1900. 



Attendance of Public. 



The total attendance of visitors during 1900 ariounted to 

 116,927, showing a decrease from the preceding year. The 

 average attendance was 325 on week-days, and 600 on Sunday 

 afternoons. The largest number passing through the turnstile 

 in any one day, and indeed the largest on record, was 2291, 

 on Monday, October 1st ("Eight-hour day"). The decrease in 



