REPORT ON NATIONAL MUSEUM. 177 



between foreign Governments, it is now not only as perfect as possible 

 a presentation of the fishery industries of the United States, but is 

 by far the most complete exposition in existence of the fisheries of the 

 world. In addition to material from various foreign countries pre- 

 viously secured, this collection has during the present summer been en- 

 riched by large contributions from England, India, the Straits Settle- 

 ments, Siam, Greece, Spain, Sweden, and Russia. The Government of 

 Greece presented to the United States its entire exhibit in London, and 

 the Government of Spain was equally liberal, sending the United States 

 everything which was indicated as desirable from the collections ex- 

 hibited in London by the Madrid Naval Museum. 



The American section of the Fisheries Exhibition occupied about 25,000 

 square feet, and the high appreciation with which it was received is 

 marked not only by the verdict of the juries, by whom it was awarded 

 150 medals and diplomas,* but by the universal commendation of the 

 European press. 



The last shipment of this material has been returned, and in two or 

 three months will be re-installed as a permanent section of the Museum. 



The concentration of a considerable amount of money upon this col- 

 lection has enabled us to provide for it all necessary cases, to do the 

 required work of mounting, to prepare printed labels for every specimen, 

 and to bring together a large number of pictures, photographs, and 

 sketches, which supplement the labels and complete the significance of 

 the specimens. It will, consequently, for some years no doubt, stand as 

 the first completed and most thoroughly arranged section of the depart- 

 ment of art and industry. 



Section of Historical Belies. — The relics of George Washington and 

 other distinguished persons, for many years displayed in the Patent 

 Office, and the Lewis collection of Washington relics purchased by 

 Congress at a cost of $12,000, which was stored in the Patent Office 

 but kept iu the original packing-boxes, have, during the year, been 

 given into the charge of the National Museum by the Commissioner 

 of Patents. These have been placed on exhibition in temporary cases, 

 together with many articles of similar nature already in the possession 

 of the Museum. It is intended, as soon as practicable, to install tbe 

 Washington relics in a more effective manner, perhaps by placing the 

 furniture in a case, the interior of which shall resemble one of the apart- 

 ments in the Washington homestead at Mount Vernon. In the Lewis 

 collection are two portraits of General Washington and Mrs. Martha 

 Washington, painted by Col. John Trumbull, which are among the 

 choicest treasures of American art. 



Section of Materia Medica. — This section is already thoroughly under 

 control, the specimens being installed in exhibition cases in systematic 

 order, and a large number of labels being attached. This department 



* Fifty of this number were awarded to the National Museum and Fish Commission 

 and their employes. 



H. Mis. 69 12 



