REPORT OF THE SECRETARY. 13 



preparation of vskeletons, the mouutinj? of mammals and birds, the 

 preparationofi^laster and papier-macb(S casts, the pain ting" of the.se casts, 

 and for general i^hotography . The transfer of one division of the work 

 of photography to its now quarters at the southeastern corner of the 

 new Museum buildinghas permitted the assignment of the rooms vacated 

 to the photographic department of the United States Geological Sur- 

 vey, and they have been fitted up for the purpose of preparing the pho- 

 tographic prints of collections of western sceuery, Indian life and por- 

 traiture, and other interesting objects. These it is i^roposed to insert in 

 the windows of the new Museum, in which there are nearly 1,000 open- 

 ings available for this purpose, thus adding very greatly to the attrac- 

 tions of the building. A window has been fitted up experimentally in 

 this manner, and has attracted much attention. 



In addition to the work done to the buildings themselves, greatly im- 

 proved drainage of the new Museum building has been eftected. The 

 drain-pipes and sewers originally available for the puri)ose have been 

 found insuflicient for the drainage of 2J acres of roof during heavy 

 rains, and an appropriation was made by Congress to remedy this de- 

 fect. New drain-pipes have accordingly been laid from the northwest 

 corner of the building along the west, south, and east sides, empty- 

 ing into a large drain and carried directly through the Smithsonian 

 grounds to the great sewer on North B street. Since its completion no 

 difficulty has been experienced in the matter referred to, and it is 

 thought there will be no further trouble. 



An appropriation Avas made by Congress for the construction of a 

 concrete foot-way along the north side of the building, from Seventh to 

 Twelfth streets. This has added greatly to the fiicility of reaching the 

 building. The repaving of South B street, fronting on the grounds 

 of the Institution and the Museum, replacing the wornout wooden pave- 

 ment, has also added much to the convenience of approach. 



ROUTINE WORK OF THE INSTITUTION. 



Administration. — The executive details of current operations present 

 nothing of sufficient importance to be specially noticed, the organiza- 

 tion and personnel of previous years having continued in successful 

 operation, and the internal affairs of the Institution having been satis- 

 factorily conducted. 



Correspondence. — With the increase of work in the various depart- 

 ments of active operations prosecuted by the Institution, tliere is neces- 

 sarily a corresponding increase in the general correspondence. It is 

 unnecessary to enter into any detailed description of the diflerent 

 classes of correspondence which constitute the in-iucipal work in this 

 branch of current operations, as this has been sufficiently indicated in 

 previous reports. A view of its extent will appear from the general 

 result that the number of letters received, acted upon, filed, indexed, 



