TJic Genesis of tJic Uuilcd yStatcs N'ational Muscii))i. 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 1nit to open the boxes and clean a 

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

 Ignited States. It will require nuich labor and time to arrange it. 



About 500 coralines haveljeen cleaned and partially arranged. About 30^) starfish, 

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

 2,000 Crustacea. And there are yet many more specimens of these, .several Innidred, 

 which have not been examined. 



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



About 7,000 specimens of minerals are placed under the protection of ca.ses, 1)iit 

 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 an.xiety for additional shipments from the 

 Ivxploring Squadron. Nor can it be doubted that when the Squadron returns, it will 

 be freighted in value and number 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 Secretarv of 

 State a.ssigned temporarily to the use of the Institiition ; but these specimens are of 

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

 hand, when put up and jjroperly displayed, will fill the whole of the room. We 

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



The occujjation of our present place is al.so merely temporary. The room will in a 

 few years be required for the purposes for w^hich 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 ap])ropriation any 

 .system which should involve the Government in a lialnlity 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 pensons 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, mollu.sca, echini, radiati, .spongia, and cru.stacea, 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 much 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 I5 per 

 day. 



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

 range the -skins. His compen.sation is ^^3 per day. 



Mr. Nuttall, who was employed on the botiinical specimens at I3 per day. He is 

 not at present in employ, having other engagements. 



One as.si.stant, Mr. Pollard, at 51.50 per day. 



One other assistant, who is also a good mechanic and arranger, :\Ir. Vardin, at 

 $1.50 per day. 



