132 REPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1893. 



Dr. W. L, Abbott, whose magnificent contribution.s to the Museum 

 are referred to elsewhere, sent au important colleetion of objects from 

 Bombay. Erhard Bissinger, esq., U. S. consul at Beirut, Syria, sent a 

 collection of Syrian games of chance. 



Hon. W. W. Rockhill, Third Assistant Secretary of State, has placed 

 at the disposition of the .^luseuni a large and exceedingly importautcol- 

 lection illustrative of the arts and customs of Tibet, which was obtained 

 by him in his two journeys in the interior, and which is to be the sub- 

 ject of au illustrated catalogue to be published in the present report of 

 the Museum. At Hoihow, China, Dr. Julius Neumaun continued his 

 friendly cooperation by sending additional illustrations of the native 

 arts of northern China. 



Polynesian collections were sent by Rounsevelle Wildmau, esq., U. S. 

 consul at Singapore, who made special collections under the direction 

 ofthe]Museum. Alexander B. Webb, esq., U. S. cousul at Mauila, sent 

 by request a collection from the Philippines, including a very excellent 

 series of games. Victor A. Jenny, esq., U. S. consular agent at Macassar, 

 secured specimens illustrating the arts of Xew Cxuinea, while our old 

 and valued correspondent. Prof. H. H. (riglioli, sent in exchange an 

 important collection from the Andaman Islands, including over 100 

 objects. 



I'KEHISTOHIC ANTHKOPOKOCY. 



The hall containing this collection is the largest and most impress- 

 ive in the Museum, and, owing to the extent and value of the material, 

 chiefly in American arclneology, it is one of the most noteworthy 

 features of the establishment. Since the death of Dr. Charles Ran in 

 1887, by whom the collection was organized and first arranged, it has 

 been under the charge of Dr. Thomas Wilson, who has increased it by 

 the dei)osit of his own cabinet of European material. 



The number of specimens at the end of the year is reported by the 

 curator at 140,182, 1,104 having been added during the month of June. 



Under the administration of the present curator many changes have 

 been made, especially in the fundamental plan of classification. The 

 collection is at present arranged in two series. The general principles 

 adopted ai)ply more to prehistoric objects from the Old World and are 

 those of foreign arch;eologists. It has been deemed unwise by the 

 curator to attempt any definite classification of the culture of antiquity 

 in the T'nited States more than to put it generally into the neolithic 

 period. 



1. A synoptical series, with reference to prehistoric man, assembling 

 objects believed to have been employed during each given ei)och of 

 early civilization. These epochs are then arranged in series, begin- 

 ning with the earliest forms and continuing dowu to historic times. 



2. (xcographical series, in which the greater portion of the collection 

 is arranged with reference to political subdivisions. The objects from 



