TJie Genesis of the United States National Mnseiun. i6i 



Institution is but temporary, and that we must look forward to the period when the 

 whole room will be required for other purposes; and while our occupation is of this 

 character, we are also, and everyone nmst be, impressed with the conviction that 

 our arrangements can not assume that scientific and permanent character which will 

 be their ultimate condition. Our present labors must therefore be preliminary to a 

 permanent and scientific arrangement, laJ)ors, however, not lost as they would be 

 necessarily under any circumstances. But to execute these properly more space 

 is required, and also the uncontrolled occupation of the whole room. This space is 

 the more necessary from the very preliminary character of j^resent labors, as the 

 room has to be a workshop as well as an exhibition room. We make this request 

 from a thorough conviction of its necessity, and from the belief that if granted 

 it would not incommode the Patent Office. And to prevent misapprehension, we 

 will take this opportunity to state that from the superintendent of that office, the 

 Institution has received those accommodations and facilities which might justly be 

 anticipated from a gentleman of his known urbanity and intelligence. 



J. J. Abert, 

 A. O. Dayton, 

 Francis Markok, Jr., 



Co})i}nitlee. 



NOTE B. 



REPORT UPON THE MATERIALS IN THE INSTITUTE. 

 By Doctor Pickering, Doctor Dana, Doctor Hale, and Mr. Brackenridgb. 



On the 1 2th of September last I received the charge of the collections of the 

 National Institute; and the Hall was soon after placed at my dispo.sal by an order from 

 the State Department. My time has since been chiefly occupied in general plans of 

 arrangement and accommodation, in reviewing the collections of the Exploring ICxpe- 

 dition that had been alread)^ opened, opening those recently received and ticketing 

 and taking an accoinit of them. The larger portion has now been gone through 

 with, and deposited in the allotted cases, but not yet rendered intelligible by means 

 of labeling and arrangement. I should expect, however, some branches of the zoo- 

 logical collections, not yet unpacked, and a portion of the botanical yet to arrive. I 

 am not prepared at present to make a full report on the proceeds of the Exploring 

 Expedition, but have only to offer a few remarks relating generally to the objects 

 under my charge. 



The interior arrangement of the Hall is not altogetlier such as I should have origi- 

 nally recommended; but the cases being already completed, it remainsonly to conform 

 to the plan, as far as practicable. By lining the walls with cases, there will be suffi- 

 cient accommodation for the present collections of the In.stitute, including those of 

 the Exploring Expedition, and the specimens of American manufactures already 

 within the walls. At the same time there is no provision for future increase in any 

 department, much less for any new objects that may be contemplated. There is no 

 room for a geological series of the United vStates, for a library, a gallery of the fine 

 arts, etc. 



The persons at present employed are : 



Mr. Varden, having the immediate supervision of the Hall and fixtures. 



Mr. Dana, having charge of mineralog}' and geology, and also of corals and Crus- 

 tacea. 



Mr. Brackenridge, having charge of the greenhouse and all botanical collections. 



Messrs. Townsend and Pollard, taxidermists, also having charge of the ornitho- 

 logical department. 



NAT MUS 97, PT 2 II 



