REPORT OF DEPARTMENT OF ANTIQUITIES. 127 



Present state of the coUeetion. 



Nl'MlSKlt OF SPECIMENS. 



Exhibit iou and study series 36,730 



Duplicates, 8,902-380 (see excbaiifjes) 8, 522 



Totul 45,252 



ACCESSIONS DURING THE YKAK 1884. 



Exhibition and study series 3, 956 



Duplicates 1, 185 



Total 5,141 



Recovimendations and general remarks. 



In this year, as in preceding cnie«, I have endeavored to cari\v on the 

 dualistic system adopted in arranging the antiquities of this connry. 



(1) There is a large collection (mostly exhibited in flat cases) which 

 consists of relics of chipi>ed and ground stone, of copper, bone, horn, 

 shell, clay, and, to a small extent, of wood. These objects hr.vc been 

 grouped according to material, and then classed under such denomina- 

 tions as their forms suggested. Similarity of shape afforded the prin- 

 cipal guidance in arranging these si)ecimens. This ariangement offers 

 to the intelligent visitor an opportunity to take in at oce glance, as it 

 wei'e, the whole culture of the prehistoric North American, as far as it 

 can be represented bj- tangible tokens. To this general collection many 

 valuable specimens have been added this year. 



(2) There are special collections composed of oSTorth American articles 

 found in one locality — a mound, grave, artificial shell-deposit, or district. 

 It will be my endeavor to increase the number of these special collec- 

 tions, in order to show the difference in the mechanical acquirements of 

 the people formerly inhabiting the various parts of this country. Six 

 of such collections have been put up in the course of this year — as stated 

 in section 2 of this rei>ort — juost con.'ipicuous among them being the 

 large and fine series of antiquities collected during Lieut. George M. 

 Wheeler's geographical survey west of the 100th meridian. 



The collections thus far mentioned are from portions of this continent 

 north of ilexico. There are, however, separately exhibited, valuable 

 archaeological collections from Mexico, Central America, South America, 

 Japan, &c., and a very good representative series of prehistoric antiqui- 

 ties from Europe. 



