REPORT OF ASSISTANT SECRETARY. 89 



preparatory to their heiug described by Captain Collius in the cata- 

 logue ah^eady alhided to. On account of the limited space available 

 for purposes of exhibition, the collections showing- the various stages 

 of development in the sewing machine and the typewriting machine, 

 have been i)laced in storage. 



Mr. Watkius has devoted considerable study to the evolution of the 

 various methods of transportation, and, referring to this subject in his 

 annual report, he says: 



During such time as was not consumed bj^ other duties during April, May, and 

 June, 1895, 1 coutiuued the investigations (whicli I have been engaged in for several 

 years) of the circumstances which led to the final improvement in the wheel and 

 the other mechanical devices which have tendered the aTtainmeut of high speeds 

 possible in the art of transportation on land and water, which have proven such an 

 important factor in modern civilization. The results of these investigations are 

 embodied in the models prepared for the Atlanta Exposition, the drawings for which, 

 together with the superintendence of their construction and the preparation of 

 labels, have consumed much time. Each of the labels for the models illustrating 

 laud conveyance contains, in addition to a brief printed description, a small sketch 

 whicli gives more information at a glance than could be conveyed to the average 

 museum visitor by many printed words. It is my belief that this same idea, extended 

 and modified by the duplication of these sketches by some photomechanical jn-o- 

 cess, may be made extremely useful, not only in connection with museum specimens 

 on exhibition, but for permanent record in catalogues and elsewhere. A series of 

 these illustrated labels, properly arranged, can with a few additions be made to 

 form an illustrated handbook of the collection. 



It is proper to make special mention of the assistance rendered by 

 Dr. Francis B. Stevens, of Hoboken, N", J., whose aid in preparing the 

 drawings for the machinery of the models illustrating the early history 

 of the steamboat has been invaluable. 



lu this connection Mr. Watkins adds: 



Dr. Stevens, a distinguished engineer, now in the eighty-third year of his age, 

 has acquired by observation and practice a fund of information concerning early 

 mechanical history in America of the greatest imjiortance. To have been able to 

 act as the medium for preserving this history through the collections in the U. S. 

 National Museum, I regard as a great privilege. 



The help extended by Mr. George C. Maynard in obtaining for the 

 Museum relics and other objects desirable for the collections is also very 

 highly appreciated. Mr. Maynard is associated with several societies 

 which were organized for the purpose of preserving the history of elec- 

 trical and mechanical inventions in general. 



In the general catalogue only six entries have been made during the 

 year, the last number being 11H2()0. The objects pertaining to naval 

 architecture are entered in a separate catalogue book, which is now, as 

 above indicated, being prepared bj- Captain Collins. Other books are 

 kept for the entry of accessions to the collections of textiles, foods, and 

 chemicals. 



The (jraphic artu collection. — The absence of the curator in Europe 

 (luring the last half of the tiscal year (January to June) has curtailed the 

 operations of the department, and the following remarks have reference 



