REPORT ON NATIONAL MUSEUM. 271 



As indicated in my last annual report, the least satisfactory portion 

 of the collections is that of the methods and mean s of metallurgical op- 

 erations, the illustration by means of drawings, views, models, and, 

 where practicable, the actual tools used, of the art of metallurgy. This 

 is one of the most interesting and valuable portions of the subject, and 

 at present is so poorly represented as to be scarcely illustrated at all. 

 This deficiency of the collection could very readily be supplied, and it 

 is so important, that a beginning should be made upon it as soon as pos- 

 sible in the coming year. 



The construction of a special chemical laboratory for the use of this 

 department, which has been approved and ordered, will facilitate 

 greatly the work of the department in making chemical examinations 

 and analyses. The present chemical laboratory, besides being crowded 

 with other work, is inconvenient for this department. There are many 

 subjects for chemical examination coming up almost daily in the work 

 of cataloguing the collection, while the opportunities and demands 

 for research upon the collections are almost unnumbered, so that the 

 laboratory will be well occupied just as soon as it can be completed. 



This being the first complete year since the establishment of the de- 

 partment, a great deal of care and attention has been absorbed in its 

 proper inauguration, and, on account of the difficulties of handling so 

 much bulky material as must necessarily constitute the exhibition se- 

 ries, the department has not made as much progress in the exhibition of 

 specimens as could be desired; but most of the difficulties of inaugura- 

 tion are now passed, and, with a sufficient force of laborers to prepare 

 and handle the specimens, there is no reason why the exhibition of this 

 department should not begin to assume the prominent position in the 

 Museum which it is entitled to hold from its interest and great value. 



THE MUSEUM LIBRARY. 

 F. W. True, Librarian. 



The following report upon the operations of the library in 1883 is re- 

 spectfully submitted. In the present condition of affairs it is perhaps 

 impossible to furnish a report of a general character suitable for publi- 

 cation. I have therefore confined myself entirely to the simple details 

 of administrative work. 



The recommendations which I have already made relative to addi- 

 tional assistance, the establishment of more definite relations between 

 this library and that of the Smithsonian Institution, an increase of reg- 

 ularity in the receipt of periodicals, it is unnecessary to repeat in this 

 connection. 



