22 REPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1899. 



Perhaps the most interesting single objects received during the year were the John 

 Paul Jones flag, with a musket and boarding sword, used in the battle between the 

 Bon Homme Richard and the Serapis, presented to the Smithsonian Institution by- 

 Mrs. Harriet Perry Stafford. 



The most striking improvement in the installation of these exhiljits 

 has resulted from the removal of all cases of small size and odd patterns 

 from the hall and the assembling of some thirty large cases of the Ijest 

 design. These are arranged in four rows, extending lengthwise of the 

 hall, having roomy aisles between, the whole effect being simplitied 

 so that the groupings of furniture and objects conform properly with 

 the architectural lines and proportions of the hall. The exhibits are 

 arranged chronologicalh". Beginning at the left of the north entrance 

 with the period of discovery the visitor passes down through illustra- 

 tions of colonial and Revolutionary times to the opening of the civil 

 war in 1861. Returning to the north end of the hall on the east side 

 we have, first, collections relating to the civil war, including seven cases 

 devoted to the relics of General Grant, one case to the meager series 

 pertaining to Lincoln, and six cases to miscellaneous relics. These are 

 followed by cases containing exhibits relating to great American invent- 

 ors, and at the south end and overflowing into the Rotunda are collec- 

 tions illustrating the late war with Spain. 



Dividon of Mechanical Technology. — This division is in charge of 

 Mr. J. E. Watkins, curator, with Mr. George C. Maynard as aid. The 

 notable feature of the year was the rehabilitation of the North East 

 Range, called also Boat Hall. The east side is devoted to a series of 

 models illustrating the water craft of the world, beginning at the 

 north with the simple raft, and passing step by step through the suc- 

 cessive grades of elaboration in hull, propelling devices, and steering 

 apparatus to the modern steamship. This series is continued in the 

 floor cases at the south end of the hall in a very important group of 

 exhibits illustrating the introduction of steam power and the specializa- 

 tion of modern steam navigation. A number of floor cases toward the 

 north end contain models of boats of various semicivilized countries. 



The wall case of the west side displays an extensive series of models 

 of fishing craft, mainl}^ those in use in American waters, and the ceil- 

 ing is hung with primitive boats from many parts of America. 



This division occupies also the east half of East Hall, the principal 

 exhibits relating to land transportation and electricity. Much prog- 

 ress has been made, but the work of installation has not yet reached 

 ■^uch a degree of completion as to warrant the publication of details. 



Section of Graphic Arts. — The Section of Graphic Arts occupies the 

 Northeast Court, and is in charge of the head curator, with Mr. Paul 

 Brockett as assistant. The very complete series of exhibits was 

 brought together ])y Dr. S. R. Koehler, curator, who retired from 

 active supervision of the work on account of ill health. The cases 



