REPORT OF THE SECRETARY. 65 



rarily placed upon the exhibition staff. The character of the work 

 undertaken by them may be briefly sketched as follows : 



The participation of the Zoological and Geological Departments has 

 been referred to in the review of the work of the several departments, 

 and will not be repeated here. 



Department of Arts and Industries. — Mr. Romyn Hitchcock undertook 

 the preparation of a collection of textile fibers and fabrics. Portions 

 of this collection were exhibited both at Louisville and Cincinnati. 

 Capt. J. W. Collins prepared a series of working models illustrating the 

 development of the ship-building industry in the United States, and 

 especially the evolution of the American schooner, the American pilot- 

 boat, and the American cotton-ship. A number of full-rigged models 

 were also sent in this connection, being exhibited on the way at Louis- 

 ville and Cincinnati. The model of a whale-boat, fully equipped with 

 all appliances for the capture of whales, was also sent. This model at- 

 tracted much attention at the London and Berlin Fisheries Exhibitions. 



The animal products collection, which was so prominent a feature in 

 our exhibition at Philadelijhia, was reorganized and greatly extended, 

 so that it now represents very thoroughly the applications of animals 

 to the uses of mankind in all parts of the world. This collection alone, 

 if arranged in table-cases, would occupy a floor space equivalent to that 

 in one of the large halls of the new Museum building. The Museum 

 has received many important gifts for this collection on condition that 

 they be exhibited in New Orleans before being finally placed in the 

 Museum. 



The Section of Fisheries was represented by about sixty of the large 

 pictures prepared for the London Exhibition, and by about two hun- 

 dred casts of American food fishes, which also had direct relation to 

 the animal products collection just referred to. It was not deemed 

 expedient to dismantle the general fishery collections so recently in- 

 stalled, for such a temporary interest as that of these exhibitions. The 

 United States Fish Commission made preparations for a considerable 

 display of fish-culture, and a representative collection of fish-cultural 

 apparatus was sent from the Museum. 



A selection of about two hundred and fifty of the celebrated autotypes 

 published by Adolph Braun & Co., of Dornach, was acquired for dis- 

 play. This collection illustrates the history of painting from the time 

 of Cimabue and Giotto, including from one to six copies of the best rep- 

 resentative works of each celebrated master, so far as it was practicable 

 to obtain them. This collection can be packed in a ver^' small space, 

 and is particularly well suited for sending away to exhibitions. It may 

 in the future be somewhat extended to very good advantage. 



Department of Ethnology. — There were sent to New Orleans about two 

 hundred uud fifty unit boxes, containing a representative collection of 

 American ethnological objects. Thvise were very largely selected from 

 the duplicates in the Museum and are available for future exhibition. 

 S. Mis. 33 5 



