Z PROCEEDINGS OF UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM. 



greater educational value than any similar museum heretofore organ- 

 ized, since a single series of selected objects will replace the numerous 

 partial series such as are seen in every industrial fair. The arrangement 

 of these in a philosophical manner will add greatly to their significance. 



In displaying and labeling the objects in the Museum its officers are 

 striving to profit by the experience of all the best museums of Europe, 

 "which have been visited and carefully studied with this end in view. 



In certain departments the National Museum is already richer than 

 any other, notably in the ethnology of the native races of America, the 

 zoology of the United States, the department of animal products, the 

 department of fisheries, that of building stones, and that of Xorth 

 American ores. 



In other sections, by the cooperation of prominent experts and busi- 

 ness houses, collections are being made with much thoroughness. For 

 instance, the materia medica collection is in charge of Schieffelin & Co., 

 of !N'ew York, who are sparing no pains or expense in making it com- 

 plete; F. \y. Devoe & Co. are doing the same thing for paints and pig- 

 ments; H. K. and F. B. Thurber for food products; Powers »& Weight- 

 man, of Philadelphia, for chemical products used in the arts, &c. Mr. 

 Edward Atkinson, in connection with his census investigations on the 

 cotton industries, has gathered for the Museum a complete series of the 

 cotton fabrics made in the United States, and the Dej^artment of State 

 has deposited the large collection of cotton fabrics of foreign countries, 

 gathered by its agents for the Atlanta Cotton Exposition. 



It is the ijolicy of the Museum to enlist the aid of some i)rominent ex- 

 pert, or some leading business house, in making up the display for each 

 special industry. It has been very gratifying to find that all who have 

 as yet been invited to help have willingly and enthusiastically complied. 



It is hoped that the possessors of valuable private collections may 

 find it to their interest to dei:)Osit them in the National Museum, and to 

 bring about this result the authorities of the Museum have an additional 

 incentive to make the display of articles in their custody as attractive 

 as possible. 



In arranging for the reception of collections, the Museum agrees to 

 furnish exhibition cases, and also bottles and such other accessories for 

 mounting as are necessary for the most effective display. 



Each individual object will have a conspicuously printed label, upon 

 which will be jilaced the name of the donor, which will also be pub- 

 lished in all catalogues and other publications of the Museum in which 

 they are referred to. 



The Museum will pay transportation charges on collections sent. 



Contributors are requested to supply all available information regard- 

 ing specimens which they may send. 



SPENCER F. BAIRD, 

 Secretary Smithsonian Institution^ and Director U. S. National Musetini. 

 January 1, 1882. 



(538) 



