II.— SPECIAL TOPICS OF THE YEAR. 



The changes already made in the form of the Annual Eeport, bejrin- 

 ning with the volume for 1893, have been continued in this volume. It 

 is believed that they have proved advantageous in many ways. 



The most important innovation in Part i of this Re])ort is the 

 Appendix which relates to the statement concerning the Library of tlie 

 National Museum. This consists of a complete list of all accessions 

 to the library during the year 1894-95, but does not include books 

 belonging to the Smithsonian library which have been withdrawn for the 

 purposes of the National Museum. 



The headings which follow indicate the topics which are thought to 

 be of special importance in connection with both the scientific and 

 administrative operations of the Museum during the year. 



THE MUSEUM STAFF. 



The number of organized departments and sections in the Museum 

 is now 28. There are 7 administrative divisions. 



Hon, Charles D. Walcott, Director of the United States Geological 

 Survey, has been appointed honorary curator of all the paleontological 

 collections, which are now embraced in the department of paleontology. 

 The names of those in charge of the various sections of this department 

 are mentioned in Appendix i. 



Mr. J. E. Watkins was appointed curator of the technological 

 collections in February, 1895. 



In May Dr. J. M. Flint, U. S. N., was detailed by the Secretary of 

 the Navy to serve again as honorary curator of the section of materia 

 medica in the National Museum, {hus relieving Medical Inspector 

 Daniel Mc:Murtrie, TT. S. N. 



Mr. F. W. True and Dr. Leonhard Steineger were detailed in the 

 spring of 1895 to report to the Commissioner of Fish and Fisheries 

 for the purpose of accompanying an expedition to Alaska and the 

 adjacent islands, with a view to studying the seal rookeries. They were 

 temporarily transferred to the roll of the Fish Commission for this 

 work. 



On July 1, 1894, Mr. R. E. Earll was appointed editor of the Pro- 

 ceedings and Bulletins of the Museum. Later in the year he was 

 appointed special agent on behalf of the Museum for the Cotton States 



and International Exposition to be held at Atlanta. 



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