REPORT OF THE SECRETARY. 31 



The department of biology showed very gratifying results both in 

 number of specimens and in the scientific importance of the material 

 received. Through the liberality of Mr. B. H. Swales, no less than 

 163 species of birds new to the Museum's collections were among the 

 years accessions and, with the continued assistance of Dr. "W. L. Ab- 

 bott, 240 mammals and 228 birds from Australia were received as a 

 first installment of a collection being made there by Mr. Charles M. 

 Hoy. A large number of specimens were received during the year 

 as a result of the Collins-Garner French Congo expedition. The 

 divisions of insects and mollusks received important additions, and 

 the botanical material accessioned during the year included valuable 

 collections from all over the world. 



In geology there was a decided increase over the previous year. 

 both in number of specimens and in their scientific value, including 

 many thousands of specimens of minerals and invertebrate fossils 

 received from the United States Geological Survey. The collection 

 of gems was overhauled and reweighed, and a handbook and cata- 

 logue of them prepared, which was in press at the close of the year. 

 One hundred sets of 85 specimens each of ores and minerals for dis- 

 tribution to schools were prepared. 



The divisions of textiles and mineral technology received impor- 

 tant additions, and the division of mechanical technology was en- 

 tirely rearranged during the year in accordance with a new plan for 

 making the exhibits more instructive to visitors. 



The usual large number of meetings and lectures were held in the 

 auditorium of the Natural History Building, including the annual 

 meeting of the National Academy of Sciences. The total number of 

 visitors during the year at the Natural History Building was 422.9^4 

 and at the Arts and Industries Building 250,982. The Museum 

 library received during the year 1,932 volumes and 1.581 pamphlets, 

 bringing the total number up to 56,617 volumes and 88,690 pam- 

 phlets. The publications of the Museum for the year were 3 volumes 

 and 33 separate papers of the Proceedings ; Bulletins 106 (text) , 107, 

 108, and a small edition of 103; volume 21 of Contributions from 

 the National Herbarium, and the annual report for 1919. 



BUREAU OF AMERICAN ETHNOLOGY. 



i 

 The purpose of the Bureau of American Ethnology is to contribute 

 to our knowledge of racial culture and advance our appreciation of 

 racial accomplishment with respect to the American aborigines and 

 the natives of the Hawaiian Islands. Inasmuch as the material from 

 which we may secure this knowledge is rapidly disappearing or being 

 absorbed into modern life, it is urgent that the bureau carry on in- 

 tensive work among the American Indians to preserve for posterity 



