NATIONAL MUSEUM BUILDINGS. 265 



orifrinals of this research are in charge of the Smithsonian Institution awaiting exhi- 

 bition. The same may l)e said of similar researches in regard to the ores of all the 

 other metals. 



The work of the V. S. Geological Survey, also of enormous magnitude— l)egun 

 under Mr. Clarence King and continued under Maj. J. W. Powell— has resulted in 

 the accmuulation of several tons of specimens of fossils, rocks, minerals, ores, and 

 the like. Very few of these can at i^resent be exhil)ited for want of the necessary 

 space. The survey requires a large number of experts and assistants, and is at pres- 

 ent viTy badly accommodated. .Some twenty rooms in the new Museum building 

 have l)een assigned as quarters for the Director of the Survey and his assistants. 



This, however, causes great inconvenience to the other work of the Museum, and 

 as the survey now occupies a large building in "Washington, for which it pays con- 

 siderable rental, and for want of <iuarters in Washington is obliged to scatter its 

 stations over various parts of the United States, it is thought desiral)le to ask CVrti- 

 gress for an appropriation to erect a second nuiseum building corresponding in general 

 character to the first, l)ut on the opposite side of the square, along the line of Tweh'lh 



street. 



This building it is proposed to devote almost entirely to the mineral department 

 of the National .Museum; and when completed to transfer to it everything of a geolog- 

 ical and mineralogical nature, and also to prepare a portion of it especially for the 

 accommodation of the (Geological Survey, which is at present so inconveniently pro- 

 vided for. By way of economy it is proposed at first to construct what will repre- 

 sent the western side of the building, in which oflice rooins and chemical and otlii-r 

 laboratories can be provided for. 



It had been proposed to erect a separate building for the Geological Survey, dis- 

 connected from the National Museum; but there being no ground available for this 

 purpose, it was thought expedient to ask for an appropriation to furnish the required 

 (piarters on the Smithsonian reservation, which is at present ample for the purpose. 



( )n the 10th of April last the following bill was accordingly introduced into the 

 House of Representatives and referred to the Committee on Public Buildings and 

 Grounds. The subject is still before that conunittee, and it is impossible to state 

 what will be its fate during the present session. I would recommend action on the 

 part of the Board of Regents in this connection, since long before the edifice can be 

 completed the need for it will liecome extremely urgent. 



•'A. BILL (H. R. No. 57Sl)fi)r the erection of a fireproof building on the south portion of the Smith- 

 sonian reservation, for tlie accommodation of the United States Geological Survey, and for other 

 purposes. 



" Be it enacted, etc., That the sum of two hundred thousand dollars be, and hereby 

 is, appropriated, out of any money in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, for 

 the erection of a fireproof building on the south portion of the Smithsonian reserva- 

 tion for the accommodation of the United States Geological Survey, and for other 

 purposes: rrovUJed, That the consent of the Regents of the Smithsonian Institution 

 be first obtained thereto, and that the building be under their direction when com- 

 pleted: And provided further, That tlie building be erected l)y the Architect of tlie 

 Capitol, in accordance with plans approved by the Director of the United States 

 (Geological Survey, the Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution, and the Arcliitt'ct 

 of the Capitol acting as a board therefor." 



At the animal meeting of the Board of Regents on January 17, 

 1883, Secretary Baird presented the report from which the above 

 extract is taken, called attention to House 1)ill 5781, introduced in 

 April, 1882, and urged the necessity for speedy action in relation to 



