12 REPORT OF THE SECRETARY. 



for* improved telephonic service, and at the present time about thirty 

 telephones are in use, all centering in and intercommunicating through 

 a switch board in the north tower of the Museum. This arrangement 

 is independent of the city oflice, and by a proper disposition of the 

 watchmen, is available at all hours of the day and night. Its utility 

 is demonstrated every day in facilitating the work of the Institution 

 and in reducing the number of messengers, watchmen, &c., necessary 

 to carry on the various operations. 



The room in which the telephone exchange is situated is also the 

 center or headquarters of the remaining electrical service, consisting of 

 a tower clock working 18 electric dials in the two buildings, a watch- 

 men's clock for regulating the rounds of the watchmen and inspectors, 

 a burglar alarm connection with all the doors and windows of the build- 

 ing, call bells and signals everywhere, as well as the telephone service 

 itself. Indeed it is believed that in no building in the world, with the 

 exception, perhaps, of the Grand Opera House in Paris, is there so per- 

 fect and complete application of electricity to practical purposes. 



A series of tunnels permeates the floors of the building in every di- 

 rection, and in these are stretched the various wires, some 200 in num- 

 ber, by means of which any electrical service can be maintained. It is 

 proposed, at an early day, to introduce the electric light into the pho- 

 tographic laboratory for use in cloudy days or at night, and also for 

 purposes of illumination when required. 



The Armory Building. — This edifice, situated at the corner of Sixth 

 street and South B, has for some years been assigned by Congress for 

 the use of the National Museum and of the Fish Commission, and with- 

 out its facilities of storage, it would be difficult to carry on the work of 

 these two departments. It has been until recently filled with the ob- 

 jects presented to the United States at the International Exhibition of 

 1876. Most of these, however, have been transferred to the new Mu- 

 seum, where they have been either set up or are waiting their oppor- 

 tunity. The vacancy, however, has been filled by the use of the build- 

 ing for the temporary storage of the immense collection of mineralogy 

 and ethnology made by the United States Geological Survey and the 

 Ethnological Bureau, and also by the storage therein of the movable 

 property of the United States Eish Commission. It is proposed to fit 

 up a part of this building for fish culture and to use it for hatching 

 shad, salmon, and other fish on a large scale. 



Laboratory of Natural History. — This building, situated at the south- 

 west of the Smithsonian building, and originally erected for the purpose 

 of facilitating the preparation of the material of the International Ex- 

 hibition of 187G, continues to be of great utility in the functions of the 

 Institution. It is used partly as a stable and carriage-house, and partly 

 as quarters for the practical operations of the Museum, such as the 



