598 



REPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1903. 



tlio center stands the framework of a new case (certain!}^ capable 

 of improvement). The k^ft half of the hall corresponds with the 

 long side shown in fig. 116. The orientation of the building appears 

 to be not without advantage, but I am not fully informed on this point. 

 The st}' le is simple and attractive. The exterior is of stone. The slope 

 of the ground is indicated by three unobtrusive divisions of the facade 

 into different levels (fig. 115). It is entirely fireproof in construction — 

 of iron, brick, and cement. The interior decoration will be quite simple 

 and of uniform color. The building is conspicuous from the very lim- 

 ited wall sufaces, consisting, as it does, almost entirely of broad windows 

 with l)ut little space between (fig. 115). The entire ground floor consti- 

 tutes one large undivided hall (fig. 117), with windows on both sides, and, 



Fig. 116. 



-Royal Museum of Natural History, Brussels, Belgium, 

 entrance. 



Narrow side of building, with 



as it was feared that it would not be possible to provide sufficient light 

 from the sides on the right and left, one longitudinal half of the hall 

 is, in addition, supplied Avith skylights, there being no stories above. 

 This large hall has double windows, contrary to the custom in most 

 museums, as it was thought that otherwise the room could not be suf- 

 ficiently heated on account of its great amount of window surface. I 

 think this fear is without foundation; but if the cost is to be disregarded 

 it is manifestly better so — at all events, for the purpose of keeping 

 out the dust, in case the new method of ventilation is not adopted. 

 (See Manchester, Glasgow, and Liverpool above.) This is not con- 

 templated, as the system was unknown here, and the steam heating 

 apparatus is already installed. The second and third floors cover 

 only one longitudinal half of the building (fig. 115). The third story 



