^2 REPORT OF THE SECRETARY, 



ments as may be required. There is still much work to be doue in 

 labelling specimens, and it has been found necessary, on account of the 

 time required in i^rinting, to prepare written labels for temporary dis- 

 play with many of the exhibits. 



The work of the Museum library has been developing on the old lines 

 of administration, and in addition to the central reference library, which 

 now includes volumes and pamphlets, sectional libraries have been es- 

 tablished in the scientific departments, each under the control of the 

 curator, and including the works especially needed by him in his daily 

 work. All the sectional libraries are, of course, under the supervision 

 of the librarian. 



One of the principal imiirovcments of the year has been the placing 

 of temporarj^ covers on the collection of pamphlets (of which there are 

 over 2,000) constituting that part of the library which is most frequently 

 consulted. 



The operations of the staff of preparators are discussed at length in 

 their proper place. The amount of work accomplished has been equal 

 to that of previous years, and it is a source of satisfaction to know that 

 the standard of excellence is improving, not only in respect to individ- 

 ual excellence but in the manner of labeling and displaying the collec- 

 tions in the exhibition cases. We are constantly called upon for jilans 

 of the cases and fittings in use in the Museum, and also to allow officers 

 of other museums opportunities to study our methods of administration. 

 At no time during the year have there been less than six or eight 

 students thus engaged. In response to such ajiplications, as well as to 

 the letters which are almost daily received, making inquisies into our 

 methods of work, it is our policy to make a cordial response. It is con- 

 sidered germane to the objects of a national museum to render the re- 

 sults of its labors useful to similar institutions throughout the country, 

 and to encourage in this way, as well as by the distribution of specimens, 

 the growth of the museum idea in the United States. 



For the purpose of encouraging the new school of taxidermists and 

 giving encouragement to the movement for the improvement of mounted 

 animals in the Museum, a space has been allotted in one of the exhibi- 

 tion halls to the Society of American Taxidermists, and already a very 

 creditable collection has been placed on view, the object of whicb is to 

 explain the improved methods of modern taxidermy, and to show ex- 

 amples of what is considered the highest artistic and mechanical per- 

 fection in the art. A number of prize pieces from the annual exhibi- 

 tions of the Society of Taxidermists have been given or lent by their 

 authors. This collection is under the charge of Mr. Hornaday, chief 

 taxidermist of the Museum. 



The collections sent to the Kew Orleans Exposition, were all returned 

 to the Museum shortly after the beginning of the year, and have long 

 since been restored to their proper places in the exhibition or reserve 

 series. A considerable number of duplicates thus returned have been 



