36 KEPOET OF THE SECRETARY. 



eracy, aucl it is liox)ed to largely iucrease this interesting collection by 

 the addition of similar memorials of the Northern armies. The collec- 

 tion of coins and medals is receiving some additions, and already about 

 2,000 specimens have been placed on exhibition. The medals pertain- 

 ing to the history of the United States were deposited in the Museum 

 by the Director of the Mint, and include bronze copies in dui)licate of 

 all the medals that have been struck at the Mint since its organization. 

 Numerous foreign medals, presented to the Smithsonian Institution at 

 various times, are also arranged in thi« collection. The coin series is 

 fast increasing, and much work has been done in classifying and label- 

 ing about 2,000 spccimeus of ancient Greek and Roman coins, recently 

 l^resented to the Museum. It is intended to arrange a series of the coins 

 by countries, showing with them also paper currency and iiostage 

 stamps, giving, as far as possible, the history of each coinage. Mr. A. 

 Howard Clark has been placed in charge of this specialty. 



Closely related to the historical collection is the series illustrating the 

 history of steam transi)ortation., umler the charge of Mr. J. E. Watkins, 

 of Camden, N. J. The John Bull engine, imi)orted from England in 

 1831, the model after which all subsequent American engines have 

 been constructed, has been given to the Museum by the Pennsylvania 

 Eailroad Company and x^laced on exhibition j and adjoining this is a 

 case in which there are already assembled about forty objects illustrating 

 the beginnings of the American railroad system. It is greatly to be 

 hoped that this important subject may be given an opportunity to grow. 



The collection of scientific instruments owes its interest at present 

 chiefly to the historical associations of most of the apparatus displayed, 

 including as it does instruments used by PriesMy, Uenry, and Hare. 

 The original telegraphic instrument of Morse and A^ail is also here 

 shown. 



The collections of musical instruments, modern pottery, and i)orcelaiu, 

 lacquer, and the process of engraving are partially disphayed, and when 

 cases and floor space shall become available, will soon develop into im- 

 portant features. 



II. (A) Department of Ethnologi}. — The growth of the department of 

 Ethnology during the year has been very great. The principal efforts 

 of the curator. Prof. O. T. Mason, are still in the direction of reducing 

 material to systematic order and arranging it in a manner available for 

 future study and exhibition. Much more space is necessary for the 

 proper prosecution of this work. Owing to this fact, as well as to delay 

 in construction of cases and i)rinting of labels, several series nearly 

 ready for final display cannot at present be exhibited. 



The department, although one of the largest, is one of the youngest 

 in the Museum. To the science of ethnology have not been applied 

 hitherto those rules of strict classification long i)revalcnt in the other 

 natural sciences, and it has l\illen to the lot of the new curator to de- 



