NATIONAL MFSEFM — RTTILDTNGS. 267 



In ailditiiiii ti> this, the cxhihitiun liy the riiitcil States at Lomloii of ilhistrations 

 of its fisheries (the freight Imlk nf w hirli am<iinite<l to not less than 24,000 cuVjic feet, 

 and consistinji, in very large part, of new objects and articles obtained at the 

 expense of the appropriations of Congress for that purpose) must also Ije provided 

 for; a.s also the very valuable and extensive collections in mineralogy, geology, and 

 njetallurgy made by the American Institute of ^Mining Engineers, and j)resented to 

 the United States, but stored in i'liilaclel])liia awaiting an appropriation for its 

 transfer. 



It may be stated in brief, therefore, that, at the present time, the vast building, 

 finished scarcely more than two years ago, is now filled to overflowing; while there 

 is additional material enough on hand belonging to the t:lovernment to occupy fully 

 half of a second building of the same size, and Avith a probability that the entire 

 space will be required lx»fore the construction can be accomplishe<l, even supposing 

 that it is begun at the earliest possible time. 



The Smithsonian Institution lias always acted in hearty cooperation w itli the allili- 

 ated scientific l)ranches of the Government even where no oflicial relationship 

 existed, this being notably the case in regard to the U. S. Geological Survey. This 

 important Bureau, in the rapid increase of its work, has been greatly hampered by 

 want of the necessary accommodations; and it was with much gratification that the 

 Institution proffered a share of the new building to the Director, jNIajor Powell, for 

 the accommodation of his coUecticms, and for the office and laT)oratory work. It 

 was, however, unable to do as much as was desirable, owing to the inadequacy of 

 quarters for the purjiose. 



Should an approjiriation be made for the new building, for which the Board 

 authorized application to Congress, it is intended to share it with the Geological Sur- 

 vey so that it may have all the facilities required for its important work. 



It will be remembered that Congress in the act of 1846 set aside for the use of the 

 Smithsonian Institution 20 acres in the southwest corner of the square bounded by 

 Seventh and Twelfth streets and north and south B streets, the center of the Smith- 

 sonian building being exactly in the middle of the square. It was in the southeast 

 quarter of this reservation that the new Museum building was erected, forming a 

 very unsymmetrical annex to the original Smithsonian building. It is now proposed 

 to take the southwest corner of the reservation for the new edifice, which, when 

 completed, will l)e essentially of the general character of the present Museum build- 

 ng, and will restore the proper architectural balance. 



Congress has now been asked to make an a])proi)riation for one wing of this jiew 

 building to be specially fitted for the use of the officers and laboratories of the 

 National Museum and f)f the Geological Survey; and, if the amount' can be obtained 

 at the present session, occupation of the building can be assured within eighteen 

 months from the commencement of operations. The vacating of the rooms now 

 occupied by the Geological Survey will also fnrnish nuich-neeiled accommodation to 

 the Museum; possibly enough until the remainder of tlie building can be ])rovided 

 for. The jirojxised wing, however, will be complete in itself, arrhiteeturally, and 

 will not involve any addition for its proper harmonious effect. 



'riic following estimate, based upon the rccoiunienclation to Congress 

 al)()ve rt^fcrrod to. was siibinittod in Lss,*} for fonsideration with the 

 appropriation hills for iSS5, hut failed to ho roportod to either House: 



Construction, in a fireproof manner, of an additional museum building, to receive 

 the collections and laboratories in (;hemistry, geology, mineralogy, metallurgy, taxi- 

 dermy, etc.; and for the offices and laboratorit's of tiie U. S. Geological Survey, 

 to be erected under the direction and supervision of the Regents of the Smithsonian 

 Institution, on the southwest corner of the grounds of the Smithsonian Institution, 

 $200,000. 



