FOKTY-FIFTH CONGEESS, 1877-18T^, 7Y5 



water and vermin proof; the walls and other portions of the building- 

 of brick; and the beams, rafters, and framework of the roof of iron, 

 without a particle of wood. 



It is therefore much to be desired that the means be furnished at an 

 early da}- for the construction of this building, so that the rich material 

 now belonging- to the United States Government can be utilized. 



It is believed that when properly arranged the National Museum of 

 the United States will take rank as one of the great industrial and eco- 

 nomical displa3^s of the natural resources of the globe. The accommo- 

 dation will then be afforded for the exhibition of the mineral wealth of 

 every State and Territory, and the display of samples of every new 

 mine, with all the appliances for rendering the study of the whole inter- 

 esting and profitable. The coals, the marbles, and other ornamental 

 minerals will be exhibited systematically; the useful and ornamental 

 products and derivatives of the animal kingdom will be shown — not 

 only such as relate to the United States, but with illustrations of the 

 whole subject in other parts of the world — which can not fail to sug- 

 gest new and important applications in this country. Illustrations of 

 the food and other fishes of this and other countries, the best methods 

 of securing them and of preparing them for the requirements of man- 

 kind, and the varied productions of the aboriginal races of North 

 America can also be displayed on a proper scale. 



To illustrate more fully the necessity and importance of the early 

 construction of the building provided for by this bill, the committee 

 deem it proper to embrace in this report the following list of the more 

 important collections presented by foreign commissioners to the 

 United States Government and taken charge of in behalf of the 

 National Museum by the Smithsonian Institution. (Printed in Smith- 

 sonian Report for 1876, pp. 131-137.) 



Ordered to be printed and recommitted. 



March 6, 1878— House. 



Mr. Casey Young, from Committee on Public Buildings and 

 Grounds, reported favorably the bill H. 26Q'2. 



(See January 21, 1878, House proceedings.) 



Mr. John R. Eden made a point of order that the bill should 

 receive first consideration in the Committee of the Whole. 



The Speaker (Mr. Samuel J. Randall) sustained the point of order, 

 as the bill contained an appropriation. 



Bill referred to Committee of the Whole and placed on the public 

 calendar. 



May 27, 1878— Senate. 



Mr. Justin S. Morrill introduced bill (S. 1320) for fireproof build- 

 ing for National Museum. 



Referred to Committee on Public Buildings. 



