6 REPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1892. 



B.— SPECIAL TOPICS OF THE YEAR. 



INCREASE IN THE COLLECTIONS. 



During the year the collections have been increased by the addition 

 of more than 228,000 specimens. These are, for the most part, contri- 

 butions, and have been obtained without any special effort on the part 

 of the Museum. The total number of specimens now in the collections 

 is 3,223,941. 



INCREASE IN THE MUSEUM LIBRARY. 



The number of publications added to the Museum library during' the 

 year was 11,892, including 693 volumes of more than 100 pages, 1,612 

 pamphlets, and 8,486 parts of regular serials. 



DECREASED EDITION OF THE REPORTS OF THE SMITHSONIAN INSTI- 

 TUTION AND NATIONAL MUSEUM. 



The edition of the Report of the Smithsonian Institution, including 

 that of the National Museum, has been reduced by the Fifty-second 

 Congress to 10,000 extra copies. 



VISITORS. 



The number of visitors to the Museum building duringthe year end- 

 ing June 30, 1892, was 269,825, and during the same period 114,817 

 persons visited the Smithsonian building. The total number of visit- 

 ors since 1881 to the Museum building is 2,668,200, and to the Smith- 

 sonian building, 1,196,498. 



MUSEUM APPROPRIATIONS FOR 1892-93. 



Preservation of collections $132,500 



Furniture and fixtures .• 15, 000 



Printing 12, 000 



Heating and Lighting 11,000 



Postage 500 



Total 171, 000 



This is $42,500 less than for the preceding year. 



PROPOSED ADDITIONAL MUSEUM RUILDING. 



On January 21, 1S92, the bill providing for a new Museum building 

 was introduced in the Senate and referred to the Committee on Public 

 Buildings and Grounds. It was favorably reported by this committee 

 February 26, and passed the Senate April 14. The bill was referred to 

 the same committee in the House of Representatives, but was not 

 reported. It lias now passed the Senate three times, but has failed of 

 action in the House. 



