NATIONAL MUSEUM HUILDINdS. 257 



a|)i)i'Oiiched by four low oninitc stops 37 feet lonj^, which urc flanked 

 by molded base blocks cariying large candelabra. 



The sinallness of the original appropriation prevented the construc- 

 tion of a basement under the main building, which would have added 

 a large amount of space for storage and workrooms. Small cellars 

 were built, however, under the southwest pavilioti for the heating 

 boilers and th(^ supply of fuel and under the northwest and northeast 

 pavilions for miscellaneous storage. Advantage was taken of the 

 changes in the heating plant in IDOl to construct an underground tun- 

 nel, leading from the northwest pavilion of the Museum building jO 

 the east wing of the Smithsonian building, primarily to convey the 

 heating pipes, electrical conduits, etc., but of suitable dimensions to 

 serve as a passageway' for individuals, being 7<> feet long, 5 feet wide, 

 and 7 feet high. It has proved of great convenience in stormy weather, 

 l)ut tills a much more important purpose at night 1)V giving the small 

 watch force a ready means of communication between the two buildings. 



The building is exceedingly well lighted, considering its solid, one- 

 stor}' construction. The ranges are amply provided with large win- 

 dows, the higher naves and courts have both skylights and clerestory 

 windows, and the naves also receive much light from the large win- 

 dows between the central towers. The exhibition collections can, 

 therefore, as a rule, be readily seen, though the galleries are responsible 

 for the creation of some dark places which did not formerly exist. 

 The lighting of the rooms in the towers and pavilions is also excellent. 

 The windows are practically all of the same general pattern, and in 

 the beginning all were glazed with double panes of glass, the better 

 tj retain the heat in winter, but about half of these double panes in 

 the towers and pavilions have been made single. Ventilation is pro- 

 vided for b}^ means of movable panes of glass in the side windows and 

 lanterns, many sashes being pivoted in iron frames for that purpose, 

 and also in places by ventilators in the roof. 



In 1881 the Museum was presented by the Brush Electrical Company 

 with a number of storage cells and a dynamo suitable for operating 

 between 30 and 40 incandescent and ir)-candle power lamps in the 

 lecture hall when evening meetings were held. In 1895 the basement 

 of the south tower of the Smithsonian Institution was furnished with 

 a gas engine and d3'namo of sufficient power to maintain a small system 

 of incandescent lamps in the Smithsonian offices and in a number of 

 workrooms and other dark places in both buildings. This plant was 

 totally inadequate for the requirements, however, and Congress 

 appropi-iated $3,500 in I'.tOl, and $5,000 iji 15H)2, for a complete instal- 

 lation of electric wires and iixtures throughout the Museum building, 

 which was practically finished in the latter 3^ear, the work being done 

 by empk)yees of the Museum. This installation extends to the public 

 halls, offices, laboratories, storerooms, and workshops, but in the 

 NAT MUS 1903 17 



