TJic Genesis of iJic United States National MuseiDu. 159 



There are probably several hundred thousand shells, constituting^ a mass of from 30 

 to 40 bushels, all valuable and many of them very rare, entirely new, and extremely 

 beautiful. With these nothing has yet been done but to open the boxes and clean a 

 few of them. Many conchologists have pronounced this the finest collection in tlie 

 United States. It will require much labor and time to arrange it. 



About 500 coralines have been cleaned and partially arranged. About 300 starfish, 

 echini, radiati, etc., have received a like attention ; also, about 100 sponges and a1)out 

 2,000 Crustacea. And there are yet many more specimens of these, several hunch-ed, 

 which have not been examined. 



About 50 fish skins. These are yet in the same condition as when received. 



About 7,000 specimens of minerals are placed under the protection of cases, but 

 require a great amount of labor to arrange and label. There are also upwards of 50 

 boxes of mineralogical and geological specimens which have not been opened. 



Accessions are daily made to the collections of the Institution in the form of dona- 

 tions, and we are now looking with some anxiety for additional shipments from the 

 Exploring vSquadron. Nor can it be doubted that when the Squadron returns, it w^ill 

 be freighted in value and niunber of specimens equal to all it may have sent home 

 during its long and interesting voyage. 



Already the specimens which have been placed in cases, nearly fill the space, one- 

 half of the upper room of the Patent Office, which the liberality of the Secretary of 

 State assigned temporarily to the use of the Institution ; but these specimens are of 

 necessity in a crowded state of imperfect arrangement. And the specimens now on 

 hand, when put up and properly displaj-ed, will fill the whole of the room. We 

 already, therefore, and with much reason, anticipate being straitened for space. 



The occupation of our present place is also merely temporary. The room will in a 

 few years be required for the purposes for which it was erected. This consideration 

 necessarily affects the character of the labors of the Institution in reference to the 

 collection, which can not fail to partake of the character of its occupation of the 

 room, and in consequence its labors are limited to such as are necessary and prelim- 

 inary to a permanent and scientific arrangement. 



The same consideration has influenced the employment which has been authorized. 

 The committee to which this matter was intrusted by the Institution, did not feel 

 authorized to recommend to the department having charge of the appropriation any 

 system which should involve the Government in a liability for one day beyond the 

 enduring of the appropriation. 



The appropriation has become exhausted, but the persons employed have contin- 

 ued their labors under the hope that the great work upon which they have been 

 engaged and which has progressed with such flattering activity, will not now be 

 abandoned. These persons are : 



H. King, Esq. , Curator of the Institution, who has the general care of the collections 

 which have been intrusted to the Institution, and who is held responsible to the 

 Institution for their safekeeping. His particular attention has been devoted to the 

 minerals, mollusca, echini, radiati, spongia, and Crustacea, and to the construction 

 of the cases, procuring of the glassware, and other requisite materials. His compen- 

 sation was fixed at first at I3 per day, but afterwards,- in consequence of his being 

 at nuich expense for trips he had to make to Philadelphia, New York, and Boston, 

 and being liable to such trips in the execution of his duties, it was raised to %$ per 

 day. 



I. R. Townsend, Esq., taxidermist. His duty is to dress, stuff, prepare, and ar- 

 range the skins. His compensation is I3 per day. 



Mr. Nuttall, who was employed on the botanical specimens at %■}, per day. He is 

 not at present in employ, having other engagements. 



One assistant, Mr. Pollard, at 11.50 per day. 



One other assistant, who is also a good mechanic and arranger, Mr. Vardin, at 

 1 1. 50 per day. 



