REPORT ON THE DEPARTMENT OF BIOLOGY 

 FOR THE YEAR 1900-1901. 



By Frederick W. True, 

 Head < 'urator. 



The past year has been remarkable for the amount of scientific work 

 accomplished, and has been especially marked by the completion of 

 preparations for participation in the Pan-American Exposition and the 

 installation of the Children's Room under the immediate direction of 

 the Secretary. The additions to the collections have been numerous 

 and as a whole compare favorably in scientific value with those of any 

 recent year. 



THE EXHIBITION COLLECTIONS. 



In those years in which the Museum participates in a large exposi- 

 tion or world's fair, as has been the case this year, improvements in the 

 regular exhibition series advance slowly, for the reason that the prepa- 

 rators and mechanics are necessarily diverted from their regular duties. 

 Although large numbers of interesting objects were prepared for the 

 Pan-American Exposition, they can not, of course, be incorporated in 

 the regular exhibition series until after the close of the exposition. 

 The benefit of the work accomplished during the year covered by this 

 report will not, therefore, be felt until the ensuing year. 



For reasons which will be explained elsewhere, the exhibit prepared 

 for Buffalo consists entirely of American vertebrates. It includes 

 many large, characteristic American animals, such as the Kodiak bear, 

 Glacier bear, Alaska moose, white sheep, musk ox. West Indian seal, 

 condor, rhea, bald eagle, boa constrictor, alligator snapper. Galapagos 

 turtle, various large fishes, etc. These arc all of the highest grade as 

 regards taxidermy and for the most part unrepresented in the regu- 

 lar exhibition series. They will add materially to the effectiveness of 

 the exhibition halls when returned from Buffalo. 



One of the most important operations of the year, as already stated, 

 was the installation of collections in the ( Ihildren's Room in the Smith- 

 sonian building. This room was assigned by the Secretary of the 

 Institution for a collection which should be in every respect suited to 

 the comprehension of children. The room was entirely refitted under 

 competent architectural advice and is now the handsomest room in 



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