204 Memorial of George Broiun Goode. 



they are also building up sister institutions which maj^ in time afford 

 them much more substantial aid. Exchanges with private collectors 

 may well be carried on in the same spirit, since the collector is thus 

 encouraged to gather more material, in the midst of which unex- 

 pected treasures may come to light, and is also aided to build up a 

 private collection which in time will probably fall into the hands of 

 some public museum. 



d. By collecting mid explor'ation. 



For all museums save those of art this is usually the most profit- 

 able and satisfactory, since by gathering fresh material in unexplored 

 fields new facts are discovered, science is enriched, and the reputa- 

 tion of the institution improved. Furthermore, material is obtained 

 in such large quantities that there always remains much in the way 

 of duplicate specimens valuable for exchange. A museum which 

 carries its activities into unexplored fields secures for itself material 

 which will always be unique and unobtainable by others, and thus 

 makes itself a center of interest for the entire world. 



The smallest museum can enrich its collections and make contri- 

 butions to enlarge others by modest explorations under its own 

 walls; it can do much by simply encouraging the people in the adja- 

 cent region to save what they accidentally encounter in the course 

 of their daily pursuits. Explorations of this kind are preeminently 

 the function of the local and provincial museum. 



e. By co7istriiction . 



Any museum may do much to enrich its exhibition series by the 

 construction of models and the making of drawings and maps and 

 by making copies of important objects in its own collections to secure 

 material to be used in exchange. Even small museums may do this, 

 for extensive workshops are not necessary. A specialist himself 

 devoid of mechanical skill may accomplish marvelous things with 

 the aid of a patient mechanic. 

 f. T/iro2igh deposit and temporary loa^i. 



Possessors of private collections will often lend them for purposes 

 of exhibition or study, if assured that they will be properly cared 

 for. Such loan collections often become permanent gifts. Single 

 specimens, or small groups of objects, still more frequently are 

 offered on deposit, and such deposits when within the province of 

 the museum should be encouraged. 



Comment. — In the United States National Museum small deposits are received 

 for short periods, but large collections, involving trouble and expense in installa- 

 tion, only with the understanding that they shall not be removed within a certain 

 period — never less than two years. 



2. Collections which are incumbered by conditions as to manner of dis- 

 position and installation are ustially sources of serious embarrassment. 

 It is especially undesirable to accej^t either as a gift or as a loan any 



