118 REPORT ON NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1886. 



Among the specimens of general interest may be mentioned a case 

 of Japanese foods received from the Department of Education at Tokyo, 

 which includes many curious products. Another case is filled with 

 preparations of animal foods from various localities. Another case con- 

 tains farinaceous products. 



There is still in reserve a great variety of food-products, some of 

 which are useful for display j others will be eventually discarded. Time 

 has not permitted the arranging of these. 



Little has been done in the section of chemical manufactures, but 

 such specimens as have been received have been cared for and a few of 

 them placed on exhibition. An excellent series of chemical elements 

 and compounds will soon be systematically arranged for display, prob- 

 ably during the month of July. 



It is intended to represent in this section the chemical industries of 

 the country as fully as possible by museum specimens and photographic 

 views of processes and apparatus. 



A desideratum in connection with the work of this division is a lab- 

 oratory equipped with the necessary apparatus for chemical work. It 

 need not be large or expensive but it should afford facilities for a certain 

 amount of analytical work, both qualitative and quantitative, and 

 especially for the preparation of compounds that are required in the 

 exhibits. The want of such a laboratory has been keenly felt not only in 

 this but also in other sections in my charge. 



A considerable quantity of material, to be distributed among the 

 various sections not yet provided for on the floor of the Museum, has 

 been received. It is all classified and stored on the north balcony, 

 where it is available for use at any time. This includes gums, resins, 

 dyes, pigments, oils, fats, soaps, waxes, perfumery, essences, and other 

 articles. 



The following table shows the present extent of the collections : 



Specimena. 



Textiles on exliibitioa 1, 199 



Textiles in study series 317 



Food products on exhibition 594 



Chemical products on exhibition 659 



Total 2,769 



