REPORT OF THE SECRETARY 27 



width of baso. In froiiorul it is contcmplatotl that the style of tlie 

 present structure will bo duplicatocl, with the fjround and third floor 

 occupied by ofKces and laboratories, and the two intermediate iloors 

 doA'ote*! to exhibits. Present plans contemplate a request for funds 

 for the preparation of definite architect's designs in the ur<zent defi- 

 ciency bill for 1931. The friendly consideration given to the import- 

 ant matter of the authorization for this work by the congressional 

 committees involved has been deeply appreciated by the Institution. 



The construction planned will provide adequately for housing 

 needs for the natural history collections. Following this, careful 

 consideration should be given to proper space for the arts and indus- 

 tries series. The present building occupied by these collections, the 

 old National Museum built in 1881, is now antiquated in design and 

 unfitted for modern needs in museum exhibition. It should be re- 

 placed by a new structure that will provide ample halls for the show- 

 ing of the important and valuable exhibits of the type mentioned. 



The historical collections of the Nation, of interest and attraction 

 to every patriotic American, at present are also in the old building. 

 These collections, which are steadily growing with the accession of 

 irreplaceable specimens, should be housed in a separate structure 

 where such objects as the Star-Spangled Banner and the memorabilia 

 of many famous men may be fittingly and attractively displayed. 



COLLECTIONS 



Additions to the collections of the National Museum during the 

 fiscal year have reached the total of 410,815 separate specimens, 

 the greater part of these coming as in previous years to the depart- 

 ment of biology. The additions, while not quite equal to those of last 

 year, are of comparable value and importance to those of the last 

 few years. Large donations have come from a number of sources, 

 the museum as a governmental institution being recognized as a 

 permanent organization in which valuable material will receive the 

 care and attention that insure long preservation. The growing 

 recognition of the National Museum as a repository of this kind is 

 highly gratifying. Materials of various kinds sent in for examina- 

 tion and report during the year amounted to 1,30G lots, including 

 many thousands of separate specimens. Gifts of duplicate materials 

 made to schools and other educational institutions included 11,474 

 specimens, while in exchange with other scientific organizations and 

 individuals there were sent out 12,(540 specimens, these being dupli- 

 cates for which return was made to the Museum collections. Loans 

 to scientific workers outside of Washington included 33,208 speci- 

 mens, many of which were of considerable value. 



Following is a digest of the more important accessions for the 

 year in the various dopartmonts and divisions of the Museum: 



