REPORT OF ASSISTANT SECRETARY. 15 



as follows: Preservation of collections, ^1.53; furniture and fixtures, 

 $1.35; heating and lighting, 1 cent; building repairs. 9] cents; rent 

 of workshops. $110.08. 



Appropriations for the year ending June SO, 1902. 



Preservation of collections $180, 000 



Furniture and fixtures 20, 000 



Heating, lighting, and electrical service, including $5,000 for continuing 



the installation of an electric-lighting system ....... 2o, 000 



Purchase and installation of new heating boilers 12, 500 



Purchase of specimens 10, 000 



Books, pamphlets, and periodicals 2, 000 



Postage 500 



Kepairs to buildings 15, 000 



Construction of two galleries 5, 000 



Rent of workshops and storage quarters 4, 400 



Printing and binding 17, 000 



Total 289, 400 



BUILDINGS. 



The principal alterations and repairs to buildings comprised the 

 fitting- up of a lecture hall, the strengthening- of the roof of the 

 Museum building - , the substitution of terrazzo pavement for the last 

 of the old wooden floors in the same building-, and the starting of a 

 comprehensive system of electric wiring for the exhibition halls and 

 offices of the Museum building. 



The old lecture hall, first established in the north west range and sub- 

 sequently occupying the west north range, was a few years ago liter- 

 ally crowded out of existence through the encroachment of collections. 

 By the transfer of certain materials and workrooms to outside 

 buildings it has been possible during the past year to restore this 

 important feature, and with the small sum specifically appropriated by 

 Congress the east north range, at the left of the main entrance, has been 

 adapted to the purpose. The walls and ceiling were tastefully painted 

 in shades of green and the windows provided with shutters for dark- 

 ening the room when the stereopticon is used. The platform, seats, 

 lantern stage, and other furnishings are of the simplest character, and 

 are also removable to permit of installing collections for exhibition at 

 any time. The four large Flemish tapestries depicting scenes in the 

 life of Alexander the Great, deposited in the Museum by Gen. P. II. 

 Sheridan in 1880, are now hung in this room, and it is proposed to 

 add other objects, requiring only wall space for their installation, to 

 complete its decoration. 



A number of years ago a small electric plant, including a dynamo 

 and gas engine, was installed to meet the requirements of that time 

 for lighting the storerooms, workrooms, offices, and dark passages. 



