BEPORT OF THE SECRETARY 3l 



delivered by 25 individual speakers. The subjects chosen came from 

 a wide range in the field of science and proved highly popular as 

 attested by the many letters received from listeners far and near. 

 Some of them have been published in permanent form. Possibilities 

 in the spread of authentic scientific information through this means 

 are great, since in this way informational talks prepared in an inter- 

 esting manner go out to an extended audience fully appreciative of 

 what they hear. It is possible thus to present the newer facts and 

 changing aspects of science in a manner unequaled by other means. 

 As was anticipated when the Loeb collection of chemical types was 

 placed under the special charge of a paid curator, splendid progress 

 has been made. Through the activities of Mr. O. E. Roberts, jr., the 

 curator, and cooperation on the part of many chemists and organiza- 

 tions, 616 new specimens have been added to the collection during 

 the year. The importance of such a collection is only just begin- 

 ning to be realized, but the interest already taken in it by specialists 

 in chemical research work in indicative of the important results 

 eventually to be achieved. 



COLLECTIONS 



The results of the year show a most satisfactory growth in the 

 collections, the total number of specimens received amounting to 

 363,490, while additional lots of material received for examination 

 and report numbered 1,232. The number of additions exceeds 

 slight]^ the very high mark attained last year, while material for 

 report also shows a slight increase. The increases are highly grati- 

 fying and have brought a great amount of extremely valuable ma- 

 terial to the collections. 



As in previous years, duplicate specimens were distributed as 

 gifts to educational institutions or utilized in the making of ex- 

 changes for specimens needed toward completing the collections. 

 The material thus disposed of amounted to 231,244 specimens, of 

 which 2,099 represent gifts. An additional lot of material, com- 

 prising 33,966 specimens, was distributed in the form of loans to 

 specialists and students for study and identification. 



The following resume of the more important accessions received 

 during the year is submitted by the heads of the several depart- 

 ments or divisions of the Museum : 



Anthropology. — The department of anthropology reports a year 

 of satisfactory progress in all lines of its activities. 



In the division of ethnology there was received a unique series 

 of objects illustrating the material culture of the Indians of eastern 

 Panama as a result of the explorations of the Marsh-Darien expedi- 

 tion cooperating with the Smithsonian Institution. This collection is 



