EEPORT OF THE CHEMIST. 



Fred. W. Taylor. 



The chemist was occupied duriug the first part of the year in making 

 a partial catalogue and in overhauling that part of the collection of 

 minerals and rocks at that time stored in the Smithsonian building, and 

 in making some partial disposal of the duplicates, packing them in sets 

 for distribution and arranging them so that they could be found. 



Preparations for the removal to new quarters and plans for a new lab- 

 oratory soon however consumed all the available time, and later he was 

 engaged in the removal of the laboratory from the Smithsonian build- 

 ing to that of the National Museum. Unfortunately, this occurred about 

 the middle of Februarj^, when every one was busily occupied in making 

 preparations for the coming inauguration and the festivities which fol- 

 lowed this event. Much time was lost, and it was not until April fol- 

 lowing that the laboratory was ready for work. Perhaps a brief descrip- 

 tion of rho present quarters, with their location and equipment, would 

 not be out of place. 



The new laboratory is located in the southwest corner of the new 

 Museum building, in what is called the Southwest Pavilion, and occupies 

 the entire second floor of the same. The rooms on the second floor are 

 four in number — the laboratory proper, 25 feet square ; the balance room, 

 12 by 16 feet, and the office, a small room, similar in size to the balance 

 room ; the fourth room is in what is called the annex, on the same floor, 

 and has been fitted up as an assay room. 



The laboratory. A, is a large well-lighted room, and, as already stated, 

 25 feet square. It is fitted with two wall desks, a and &, placed against 

 the south and west halls. These desks are of white pine throughout, 3 

 feet high and 2 feet wide, divided below into drawers and lockers. 

 Above is placed the usual rack for re-agents, and above that a case fill- 

 ing the space above to the ceiling. The north wall is occupied by a 

 long wall case, c, divided into three compartments, and used for chem- 

 icals and apparatus ; the east wall is occupied by a similar case, </, and 

 the acid or fume chamber, e. 



The south wall desk has two large sinks, ss, one at each end ; and in the 

 southwest corner are placed two Bunsen pumps. These are connected 

 with the desks, and so arranged that each desk has three points of con- 

 nection. East of the laboratory we have the balance room, B; this 

 room has been very handsomely fitted up with wall cases of black wal- 

 nut, occupying the west and north walls. These cases fill the entire 

 space from floor to ceiling, the lower part being divided into drawers. 

 All choice apparatus, platinum, graduated glassware, and extra glass- 

 ware is kept in this room. 



The balances are five in number — a large analytical, carrying one kilo- 

 gramme; one medium size analytical, to carry two hundred graiiunes; 

 S. Mis. 109 11 161 



