62 REPORT OF THE SECRETARY. 



and it is understood that important returns have already been received, 

 which, with others, will be duly digested and published. 



In the re-organization of the affairs of the National Museum, conse- 

 quent upon taking possession of the new building, an important place 

 was given for a complete collection of materia medica of the whole world, 

 civilized and barbarous, as also for a series of suitable artificial combi- 

 nations of the elements in nature. In connection with this the services 

 of Dr. J. M. Flint, surgeon, U. S. X., were obtained from the Secretary 

 of the Navy, and the Institution owes everything to the doctor for 

 establishing this collection on a firm basis. Dr. Flint's term having 

 expired, he was transferred to the U. S. Fish Commission steamer 

 "Albatross," and Dr. H. G. Beyer assigned to duty in his place on June 

 4, 1884. Dr. Beyer has been since that time actively engaged in carry- 

 ing on the work begun by Dr. Flint, as also initiating some important 

 measures of his own. 



When the Chemical Department of the Smithsonian Institution was 

 first organized, Dr. F. M. Endlich was placed in charge, and per-, 

 formed its duties with fidelity and efficiency. On his resignation to 

 take charge of some extensive mining operations in the Southwest, 

 Dr. F. W. Taylor, of Washington, was appointed in his place. The 

 climate of Washington proving too severe for Dr. Taylor's health, 

 he received leave of absence for some months, for the purpose of visit- 

 ing New Mexico, and on his arrival there, finding that it was in every 

 way to his advantage, he resigned his position in the Institution on 

 June 10, 1884, greatly to our regret. He was succeeded in charge of 

 the laboratory of the Institution by Prof. F. W. Clarke, the chemist of 

 the IJnited States Geological Survey. 



UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM. 



A little more than three years ago, in the fall of 1881, the occupancy 

 of the new Museum building was begun, by moving into it several 

 thousand packing boxes full of unassorted and uncatalogued material, 

 the accumulation of many previous years. The members of the Museum 

 staff have been struggling ever since with this fragment of chaos, and 

 it gives me great pleasure to state that at the present time they have 

 finally gained the mastery over it. The material is now under control, 

 and has all been assorted and assigned to its proper departments. Ex- 

 cept in a few curatorships, which are not yet entirely organized, the 

 specimens have been catalogued, and are available for study. The prep- 

 aration of the exhibition series has not yet been completed, however, 

 owing to the necessary delays in the work of printing the labels and 

 making the exhibition cases. Two things have interfered materially 

 with the progress of the work : first, the tremendous influx of new ma- 

 terial, which has required immediate attention to insure its safety, 

 3,501) packages having been received during the yearj and, second, the 



