234 REPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1903. 



transfoniK'd into the so-called childicMrs rooiu, with a mosaic tloor, 

 the walls painted in several tints of ^reen, and the ceiling- covered 

 with an arbor and vine. Low, light-colored cases, almost wholly of 

 glass, contain a series of specimens, mostly animal, chosen to excite 

 the wonder of children, besides which there are several paintings 

 upon the walls and two aquaria with living fishes. 



Adjoining the main hall on the west is the west range (60 by 37 

 feet), one story high, but surmounted by a clerestory. The side roofs 

 are supported by two rows of columns, similar to those in the main 

 hall but not so heavy, being 6 feet apart and about 8 feet 2 inches 

 from the side walls. The windows are confined to the south wall. 

 Upright cases form alcoves along the sides of the room, while Hat- 

 topped table cases occupy the central aisle. This range has recentl}^ 

 been given over to the exhibition of insects. It previously contained the 

 fishes and was originally connected with the librarv as a reading room. 



The western hall follows and has for a numl)er of years been devoted 

 to the display of marine invertebrates exclusive of the mollusks, with 

 extensive provisions for the storage of specimens. It has the appear- 

 ance of a chapel, by which name it is often designated. It is rela- 

 tively very high, with an arched ceiling and skylight, and terminates 

 at the northern end in an apse. Its dimensions, not including the 

 apse, are: Length, about Q6 feet; width, 35 feet; greatest height, 37 

 feet 8 inches. There are windows well up on the south and west sides 

 and lower ones in the apse, but none on the east. High up on the 

 south wall is a handsome rose window. This room, together with the 

 adjoining range, was planned to contain the gallery of art, but from 

 the time of its completion until 18<)6 it was occupied by the library. 

 Now upright cases of black walnut occupy the wall space on all sides, 

 except in the apse, which contains a synoptical collection displayed 

 in small cases. The body of the hall has three rows of flat-topped 

 and high, square cases, on unit bases fitted with storage drawers. 

 The small adjoining tower is also used for the storage of marine 

 invertebrates. 



The old cloister to the north of the west range, originally open at 

 the front, was inclosed with wood at an early date; but when this part 

 of the building was tireproofed, the woodwork was replaced with stone. 

 The room thus gained is divided into two well-lighted apartments, 

 used as laboratories for fishes and marine invertebrates. 



The second flo ••, as designated on the plans, contains the galleries 

 of the main lower hall already described. At the head of the first 

 flight of stairs from the main entrance are three small rooms used as 

 natural-history studies, and at a corresponding height in the south 

 tower is a room fitted up by the Smithsonian Institution for its collec- 

 tion of apparatus. There is also a low second-story room over the 

 western cloister, used for the storage cf fishes. 



