92 



REPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1896. 



prepared for the Atlanta Exposition and now installed in tlie Museum 

 halls, is a series showing early experiments in steam navigation, includ- 

 ing models of steamboats made by Fitch, Rumsey, Fulton, Stevens, and 

 Ericsson. A complete model of the steamship Savannah was built 

 under the supervision of Capt. J. W. Collins. In the cases containing 

 these models are also exhibited important historical relics relating to 

 the vessels themselves. 



A valuable series of tanned skins of animals, collected in Panama by 

 Mr. K. T. Hill, of the United States Geological Survey, was added to 

 the collection of aninml products. 



Regarding the progress made in caring for the various collections, the 

 following is quoted from the report of the curator, Mr. J. E. Watkins: 



The collection of boats has been overhauled, and a number of models rejiaired. 

 The full-sized boats— kaiaks, dug-outs, etc.— have been rearranged upon the ceiling 

 of the hall to a height great enough to admit an additional amount of light. 



Two new cases have been erected in the east hall, and in them the collection illus- 

 trating the electrical industries and the collection illustrating methods of land 

 transportation, which was received at the close of the Atlanta Exposition, have 

 been installed. 



The textile collection, which has been scattered for a number of years, has been 

 brought together with a view to revising it and reinstalling such portions as maj'^ be 

 deemed advisable. 



The collection of animal products was not put under the care of the curator until 

 some weeks after the death of Mr. K. Edward Earll, which occurred in March last, 

 and since that time it has not l)een possible to give very much attention to the 

 collection. 



The following statement shows the number of specimens received 

 during the year, the number of catalogue entries made during the 

 same period, and the total number of specimens in the collection : 



The graphic arts collection.— Owing to the absence of the curator, Mr. 

 S. R. Koehler, during a considerable portion of the preceding fiscal 

 year, and also during the first half of the year covered by this report, 

 comparatively little has been done toward the development of the 



