REPORT OF Ai^SISTANT S^ECRETARY. 7 



as well as of research, while in the tliinl period is growing up the idea 

 of public education. 



Ill cloBiiig this general statement it may be well to mention what 

 seetn to be the things detinitely accomplished since the time of reor- 

 ganization in 1881. 



The definite steps of progress may be summarized as follows: 



(1) An organization of the ]\[useum stalf has been effected, efficient 

 for present pur])oses and capable of expansion and extension as occa- 

 sion may re(j[uire, and many capable museum-experts have been trained 

 for work in other institutions. 



(2) Through the agency of this start' the materials in the Museum, 

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

 fied, and brought under control au<l arranged in such manner as to 

 insure their safely and make them available for study. 



(3) The collections have been increased to more than fifteen-fold their 

 former extent. 



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

 of a well labeled and effectively 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 through a re^jort 

 upon the principles and methods of museum administration, now in prep- 

 aration. 



(6) 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 adopted in 

 many similar establishments at home and abroad. 



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

 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, Avhile the work of 

 specialists in the production of these papers has greatly enhanced the 

 value of the national collections. 



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

 plished by participation in great expositions in Philadeljjhia, Ueiiin, 

 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. 



THE POSSIBILITIES FOR THE FUTURE. 



It is evident that a National Museum worthy of the dignity of the 

 nation must always be maintained in the city of Washington. 



Every country has a museum or groiq) of museums in its cajiital 



