REPORT OF ASSISTANT SECRETARY. 31 



Each lot of specimens as received is accessioned, and its contents are 

 distributed to the several divisions to wliich they belong and in 

 which they are subsequently cared for. They are cleaned and 

 poisoned, if need be, and are catalogued chronologically under suc- 

 cessive numbers, by which, combined with appropriate labels, they 

 may always be identified and their history ascertained. After they 

 have been studied and classified they are entered on catalogue cards, 

 arranged in systematic order so as to constitute a descriptive list of 

 the objects in each class, the basis of future research. This work 

 progresses steadily in all the divisions, and naturally consumes a 

 great deal of time. 



The above illustrates the processes with new collections, and 

 their incorporation in the several series to which they belong. But 

 there is another branch of work, equally necessary and fully as 

 arduous, the maintenance of the collections, now grown to proportions 

 far beyond the facilities for their accommodation. All of the several 

 millions of specimens except those in general storage, are expected 

 to be examined at least once a year to insure their continued safety. 

 Alcohol is added to the jars and vials to replace that lost by evapora- 

 tion, dried specimens are cleaned of insect pests, which are ever 

 present, and a general house-cleaning takes place to remove the dust, 

 dirt, and dampness which everywhere accumulate. This relates to 

 practically all of the divisions, though with some kinds of collections 

 the difficulty is much greater than with others. Following are some 

 of the principal items of work under this heading: 



Probably in no former year have the reserve collections in the 

 Department of Anthropology been so thoroughly overhauled and 

 renovated. The collections in the extensive series of drawers in 

 Eskimo hall have been entirely rearranged in systematic order, and 

 a finding catalogue of their contents has been prepared. A large 

 number of cupboards and frames with drawers have been installed 

 above the wall exhibition cases in the Pueblo court for the storage of 

 ethnological objects; the storage accommodations in the graphic 

 arts court have been extended for the keeping of the Philippine 

 collection, and the storage cases on the west balcony, with their 

 contents, have been greatly improved. 



In the recently established division of physical anthropology there 

 has been great activity, owing to the many accessions, and the 

 necessity of overhauling the old collection, which had not for some 

 years been given supervision. The material belonging to this divi- 

 sion is of such a character as to require much attention, in the clean- 

 ing of skeletons and crania, and the liquid preparation of the soft 

 parts of the body. The quarters assigned for laboratory and storage 

 purposes are altogether too small, and only by close crowding can 

 the material already on hand be accommodated in the cases. 



