8 REPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1895. 



for present purposes and capable of expansion and extensioji as occa- 

 sion nuiy i'e(piire, and many capable museum experts have been trained 

 for work in other institutions, 



(2) Through the ayeni^y of this staff the materials in the Mnseum, 

 the accumulations of nearly half a century, have been examined, classi- 

 fied, and brought nnder control and arranged in such manner as to 

 insure their safety and make them available for study, 



(;>) Tlie collections have been increased nearly seventeen ibid during 

 the last fourteen years, 



(4) A considerable beginning has been made toward the development 

 of a Avell-labeled and effectually installed exhibition series, available 

 for the instruction of the public. 



(5) A thorough study of the organization and systems of classifica- 

 tion in other museums throughout the world has been made, the results 

 of which are beginning to appear in the work of the Museum staff and 

 which will be made available for other institutions from time to time 

 through the publications of the Museum, 



(()) Many new methods of installation have been developed by experi- 

 ment in the Museum, and the best and most available employed else- 

 where have been adopted. Our new methods are being applied in 

 many similar establishments at home and abroad. 



(7) The art of taxidermy and the making of museum models has been 

 advanced and dignified by the policy adopted in the treatment of the 

 experts in the employ of the Museum. 



(8) Science has been forwarded by the publication of some thousands 

 of papers describing the materials in the Museum, while the work of 

 specialists in the i)rotluction of these papers has greatly enhanced the 

 value of the national collections. 



(9) Popular educational work of unquestioned value has been accom- 

 plished by participation in the great expositions in Philadelphia, Berlin, 

 London, New Orleans, Cincinnati, Louisville, Madrid, and Chicago. 



(10) Hundreds of thousands of named specimens have been distrib- 

 uted to other museums and to colleges and schools. 



EXPECTATIONS OF FUTURE DEVELOPMENT. 



That the United States must have a National Museum worthy of the 

 dignity of the nation is self-evident. 



Every country has a museum or group of museums in its capital 

 city — centers of scientific and educational activity — the treasure-house 

 of the i)eople, filled with memorials of national triumphs in the fields of 

 science, art, and industrial progress.' 



These are legitimate objects of national pride, for upon the character 

 of its museum and libraries intelligent persons, visiting a country, very 



' Most of tlie older nations have museums devoted to their military achievements 

 and triiunphs, but our country has no need or desire to enter into this Held of Avork. 



