54: REPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1900. 



the DbioceraUi, Jironlomurux, in<xny Dinosaurs, and the best Titanotherium yet dis- 

 covered. He also purchased iiunieruus collections after the stopping of allotments 

 for liis work in 1892. These collections were transferred to Yale University some 

 time prior to his death. 



As there has been considerable comment in relation to this matter, I send you a 

 copy of a report on the examination of the collections under Professor Marsh's 

 charge, made by me to the Director of the Geological Survey, in 1892. 



I twice visited New' Haven while the collections were being packed, and am fully 

 convinced that all material belonging to the Government has been transferred to 

 Washington. Mr. Lucas reports that the trustees of the Peabody Museum in New 

 Haven gave him every facility for packing the collections, and that the records were 

 so comx)lete that no difficulties arose in determining those specimens which belonged 

 to the Government and those which were the property of the Peabody Museum. 



The transfer of these great collections to Washington without the loss of any mate- 

 rial, either through imperfect recording or through misunderstanding as to the owner- 

 ship of specimens, reflects the greatest credit on the business-like luethods and the 

 integrity of Professor Marsh. The addition of the material to the National jMuseum 

 places it in the front rank among museums in its collection of vertebrate fossils. It 

 is necessary that some gaps in the collections l)e filled, and I sincerely trust it will 

 be possible for the Museum to do this at an early date. 

 Yours respectfully, 



Chas. D. Walcott, Director. 



Smithsonian Institution, December 22, 1899. 



Dear Sir: I take great pleasure in acknowledging the receipt of your letter of the 

 8th instant, advising me that you have transferred to the National Museum all the 

 vertebrate fossils collected by the late Prof. O. C. Marsh belonging to the United 

 States Government, subject only to the condition that such material as is required 

 may be used for study and illustration in completing the monographs which were in 

 prejiaration by Professor Marsh at the time of his death. 



The addition of this immense collection of most important American fossil remains 

 to the treasures already assembled in the National Museum will, I am sure, afford 

 the greatest satisfaction to all workers in the field of paleontology ))oth at home and 

 abroad, and you will permit me to add a personal word in appreciation of your untir- 

 ing efforts to facilitate in every way possil)le the great task connected with the 

 removal of the collection from New Haven to Washington. 



During the coming year I expect to have two preparators engaged in working out 

 of the matrix specimens still uncleaned, and confidently hope that it may be possi- 

 ble in a few years to have the entire collection made available for study and a 

 selected series for public exhibition. From this latter series the public will be able 

 to form a correct idea as to the number, variety, and great size of these wonderful 

 extinct creatures of the western country, and will undoubtedly be impressed \\ith 

 the extent and importance of the work of the paleoutological divisions of the Geolog- 

 ical Survey and the marvelous industry and intelligence displayed by Professor 

 Marsh in bringing together this great collection. 



Yours respectfully, S. P. IjAN(jlev, Secretary': 



Hon. Charles D. AValcott, 



Director United States Geological Survey, Washington, 7). C. 



As may readily be imagined, the receipt of these enormous collec- 

 tions, many of which were still uncleaned and in the matrix, single 

 specimens in some instances weighing several thousand pounds, taxed 

 the resources of the Department greatly. Fortunately the gallery in 

 the oast south range was completed, and, when fitted with standard 



