50 REPORT OF THE SECRETARY. 



natural history, and in many instances specimens Lave been lent to 

 specialists for comparison and study. Instruction in taxidermy has 

 been given to several applicants. Two of these intend to apply the 

 knowledge thus acquired in making collectious for the Museum, namely, 

 Lieut. E. H. Taunt, United States consular agent to the Congo, and 

 Mr. Harry Perry, who expects to spend several years in Honduras. 

 Mr. T. W. Smillie has given instruction in photography to the follow- 

 ing persons: Lieut. E. H. Taunt, Mr. W. H. Perry, Mr. Barton Bean, 

 Mr. Howard, Prof. Daish, and Miss Frances B. Johnston. 



Special researches. — The special researches of the curators are re- 

 ferred to at length in the report of the National Museum. I may 

 say, in this connection, that the time which those officers are able to 

 devote to work of this kind is very limited, owing to the large amount 

 of mechanical and routine work to which, in the absence of necessary 

 assistance, it is necessary for them to give their personal attention. 



Meetings and lectures. — The use of the lecture hall has been granted 

 for lectures and meetings of scientific societies, as follows : The Na- 

 tional Dental Association met on July 24, 25, and 26. On the evening 

 of September 20 was held one of the meetings of the Medical Congress. 

 The American Ornithologists' Union held its sixth congress on Novem- 

 ber 13, 14, and 15. A meeting of the Department of Superintendence 

 of the National Educational Association was held on March 6, 7, and 8. 

 The National Academy of Sciences held its meetings on April IG, 17, 

 and 18. The Council of the American Geological Society and the Ameri- 

 can Committee of the International Geological Congress held business 

 meetings on April 19. The American Historical Association held its 

 fifth meeting in Washington during Christmas week; the evening ses- 

 sions being held at the Columbia University, the morning sessions at 

 the Museum. 



In the Toner course Dr. Harrison Allen delivered a lecture on May 

 29 entitled "Clinical Study of the Skull undertaken in connection with 

 the Morbid Condition of the Jaws and Nasal Chambers." 



The usual course of Saturday lectures, ten in number, beginning 

 March 9 and ending May 11, was delivered under the direction of the 

 oint committee of the scientific societies of Washington. 



The usual courtesies have been extended to museums and other pub- 

 lic institutions by the gift and loan of drawings and photographs of 

 specimens and copies of Museum labels. 



Visitors. — Thenumber of visitors to the Museum building is constantly 

 increasing. The register shows that a total number of 374,843 persons 

 visited the Museum during the year. This exceeds the number for last 

 year by 125,818, and shows an increase of more than 50 per cent. The 

 visitors to the Smithsonian building numbered 149,618, an increase of 

 46,177 over last year. On March 5, owing to the crowds of visitors to 



