AN ACCOUNT OF THE U. S. NATIONAL MUSEUM. 303 



exhibit representing;- North American anthropology. The combined 

 exhibit was divided into hve sections — Smithsonian Activities, Animal 

 Eesources, Fisheries, Mineral Eesources, Anthropology. 



In the preparation of the exhibits of animal resources and fisheries, 

 Professor Baird, then curator of the National Museum, had the assist- 

 ance of G. Brown Goode, who held the position of assistant curator 

 of the National Museum, Tarleton H. Bean, and H. C. Chester; in eth- 

 nology, Charles Hau, Edward Foreman, and F. H. Gushing; in mineral 

 resources, William V. Blake and Thomas Donaldson. 



When the idea of holding a great exhibition under the Government 

 was first put forth, both Secretary Henry and Professor Baird foresaw 

 that the effect on the National Museum must be of the greatest moment. 

 The objects purchased and exhibited by the Government of the United 

 States would find their final resting place In the Museum, and many 

 foreign governments and private exhibitors would donbtless present 

 their exhibits to the United States, with the result that they also would 

 find their way into the Museum. 



The results of the operatious of the Institutiou in connection with the Centennial 

 Exhibition [wrote Professor Henry in 1875] will probably have a much greater effect 

 on the future of the establishment than is at first sight apparent. The large num- 

 ber of specimens which have been collected by the several departments of Govern- 

 ment and by the Institution itself in view of this exhibition will greatly increase 

 the contents of the National Museum, and if we add to these the specimens which 

 will be presented by foreign powers, of which we have already had intimations, the 

 number will be swelled to an extent far beyond the capacity of the present building 

 to contain them, and an additional edifice will be required for their accommodation. 



In the consideration of this matter the questions will arise whether the building 

 required shall consist of an extension of the present Smithsonian edifice or an 

 entirely separate building, and these questions will involve another, viz, whether 

 it is advisable to continue, at least without some modification, the connection which 

 now exists between the Smithsonian Institution and the National Museum. 



The Museum is destined to an extension far beyond its present magnitude. It is 

 an object of much interest to all who visit the national capital, and is of great 

 value as exhibiting the natural resources of the country, as well as a means of public 

 education. 



Professor Baird, as exhibition representative of the Institution, 

 wrote in the report of the same year as follows: 



It will, however, be readily understood that the Smithsonian l)uilding will be 

 entirely inadequate to accommodate this collection on its return from Philadelphia, 

 especially as even now it is overcrowded and packed from top to bottom with 

 thousands of boxes, for the proper exhibition of the contents of which there is no 

 space or opportunity at the present time. It is to be hoped that action at an early 

 day will be taken by Congress looking toward a proper provision for this emergency, 

 especially when it is realized that the materials are thus available for a national 

 museum that shall be equal in its extent and completeness and in its educational 

 advantages to that of anj' nation in the world. 



The collections made directly through the Government appropriations will also be 

 very largely supplemented by the donation of series of American and foreign exhib- 

 itors, a very large jnoportiom of which will be jjlaced at the disposal of the United 

 States Government. 



