REPORT OF ASSISTANT SECRETARY. 75 



July and August a small series illustrating some of the cliaracteristic plants and 

 animals of the various geological horizons was selected, and the specimens mounted 

 upon tiles iu an attractive manner for exhibition at the Atlanta Exposition. This 

 collection received honorable mention. 



From October 22 to about May 15 attention was given to the exhibit and study 

 collections, but nothing could be done toward the contemplated mounting of the 

 exhibition series iu this department, excepting the Mesozoic and Tertiary plant col- 

 lections, which are now practically linished. The time from May 15 to July 1 was 

 devoted to mounting the "Historical collection of fossils" in the department of 

 geology. It was deemed best, before attempting the mounting on tiles of the gen- 

 eral exhibition collection of fossils, to experiment upon a smaller collection. The 

 first trial was that of the fossils exhibited at Atlanta, and a second and far larger 

 test was made with the " Historical collection" in the department of geology. It 

 is now certain that the mounting of fossils upon tiles has decided advantages over 

 paper, wood, slate, or ground-glass tablets. The only disadvantage observed is 

 that tiles, because of the somewhat greater thickness necessary for their stability 

 and flatness, are lieavier than the other kind of tablets. Tliis disadvantage, how- 

 ever, is not a fatal one. Consideralde time during the year was given by Mr. David 

 White, assisted by Messrs. Williard and Whipple, toward the further arrangement 

 of the study series of the Lacoe collection. This work is not yet completed, and 

 will not be until another case is built in the east room of the south tower. That 

 portion of the Lacoe collection on exhibition remains in the same condition as last 

 year. It is, however, hoped to complete, mount, and label this series during the 

 next fiscal year. 



While considerable time has been devoted to the invertebrate study series, much 

 more work will have to be done before any intelligent selection can be made for 

 the final exhibition series. The exhibit collection of vertebrates is in fair order, 

 but more space is required to relieve it of its present congested condition. In 

 the last annual report it was suggested that permanent ca.ses be built along the 

 north wall of the southeast court. Much vertebrate material is nearly ready for 

 installation, and more will soon be at hand, for all of which additional space is 

 necessary. 



Eight hundred and eighty boxes of fossils are in storage, awaiting development 

 and installation in the exhibition or study series. 



The duplicate fossils are being removed from the study series as fast as possible, 

 and laid aside for future exchange and distribution. 



The Director of the United States Geological Survey has recently appointed Mr. 

 H. E. Dickhaut, and the Museum, Mr. T. E. Williard, as preparators under the 

 direction of the assistant curator. Work will progress hereafter far more rapidly 

 with the material in the Museum building, and it is hoped that some of the fossils 

 now in storage will be rt>moved during the year. However, the staff of this depart- 

 ment has had in the past all it could do to arrange the collections as they came in 

 from the field or from individuals. 



Each summer various Geological Survey parties send in collections, and it is the 

 custom for this department to assist iu their preparation for study and in recording 

 the material upon the Museum catalogues. 



The Lacoe collection is not yet completely housed. This is due, in part, to the 

 fact that the Museum has no paid officer directly in charge of fossil plants. How- 

 ever, Mr. David White has made considerable progress in this direction, and it is 

 hoped, with the assistance of Mr. Williard, to complete the installation of the col- 

 lection during 1896-97. 



Considerable scientific work, based npon material in this depart- 

 ment, has been accomplished during the year. The preparation of a 

 monograph on American fossil starfishes, by the assistant cnrator, Mr. 

 Charles Schuchert, and Mr. I. H. Harris, has been referred to. Mr. 



