SECRETARY'S REPORT 39 



Mr. Peterson has participated, is certain to cast valuable liglit on the 

 Colonial period of Jamaica. 



Edgar M. Howell, acting curator of military history, visited Sack- 

 ets Harbor, N.Y., September 13-18, to explore the site of two War 

 of 1812 forts. The excavations produced results far exceeding ex- 

 pectations. Mr. Howell continued the preparation of an article on 

 the career of Harvey Dunn, official combat artist of World War I, 

 and a catalog of his war paintings. Early in December he visited 

 New York and vicinity to interview members of the Dunn family 

 and several of the artist's contemporaries. 



Philip K. Lundeberg, associate curator of naval history, made a 

 tour of maritime and naval museums on the northeast coast of the 

 United States, September 21-October 4, and obtained much informa- 

 tion that will be of use in preparing the new exhibits in the Museum 

 of History and Technology of the Smithsonian. 



EXHIBITIONS 



Modernization of several exhibition halls was continued in 1960. 

 Two completely renovated halls illustrating "The World of Mammals" 

 were opened to the public on November 23, 1959. Biological princi- 

 ples, such as how mammals vary geographically, how they adapt to 

 different climates and environment, the various structural adapta- 

 tions for locomotion, how they obtain their food and defend themselves, 

 are illustrated. Selected groupings of kinds of mammals, such as 

 cats, dogs, bears, pigs, and primates, are displayed separately. 

 Habitat groups show, among others, African buffalo, square-lipped 

 rhinoceroses, lions, zebras, armadillos, proboscis monkeys, and orang- 

 utans in natural surroundings. ISIany of the large African mammals 

 in these halls were collected by President Theodore Eoosevelt during 

 his African expedition of 1909-10, sponsored by the Smithsonian In- 

 stitution. These exhibits were planned by Dr. Henry W. Setzer, asso- 

 ciate curator of mammals. Architectural design was by Thomas 

 Baker, who also supervised the preparation and installation of the 

 exhibits. Robert C. Hogue painted the backgrounds of the habitat 

 groups, and Watson Perrygo supervised the taxidermy work and 

 preparation of accessories. The mural was painted by Art Smith. 



Planning for "Oceanic Life," which will occupy the large west 

 main hall, advanced during the year, and progress was made on the 

 construction of a replica of a 92-foot blue whale, which will represent 

 the largest living form of animal life. Chris Karras designed the 

 layout of this hall. The contract for the construction of the dis- 

 play fixtures was awarded in June 1960. 



On June 30, 1960, the first comprehensive review of fossil fishes and 

 amphibians in the U.S. National Museum of the Smithsonian Institu- 



579421 •— 61 i 



