140 



which ought certainly to be remedied ; one, of which two of 

 the Curators have spoken, is that of the excessive light on all 

 days, three only of the windows having shades ; these are 

 upon the west end of the main hall and are absolutely essen- 

 tial for the protection of the birds ; hardly less important is 

 it for the ^^reservation of the collection for any length of time 

 that the windows of the lantern-roof should be shaded upon 

 all days when the Museum is not open, so as to darken the 

 room as much as it is possible ; indeed it would be well if 

 the room could be thoroughly darkened, but unless some pro- 

 tection fi-om the glare of light is given to some of the collec- 

 tions, especially those of Ornithology and Entomology, they 

 will be seriously injured. Another thing that is necessary is 

 the providing the railing cases of the gallery with iron-rod- 

 railings, slightly elevated. So long as the cases are at their 

 present height, the glass will be in continual danger of 

 breakage by visitors who carelessly lean upon it. Several 

 panes have already been broken in that way, and they will 

 doubtless continue to be broken, and injure or destroy the 

 specimens beneath, unless this precaution is taken. The 

 fastenings to the larger cases prove to be very defective; 

 the shrinkage of the doors is constantly rendering them use- 

 less or troublesome, and a very considerable sum has already 

 been expended in repeated repairs ; they cannot accomplish 

 the object for which they were designed, and should be re- 

 placed by locks of some more substantial character, as a 

 safeguard to the collections. 



One great hindrance to the arrangement of many of the 

 collections is the want of alcohol, which we are now obliged 

 to pay for at ten times the former price and therefore can 

 use but sparingly. It is believed that this difficulty may be 

 obviated by proper petition to Congress, so that, as in Eng- 

 land, methyllated spirits may be used free from the excise, 

 which is almost the only cause of the extravagant price; and 

 steps have been taken which it is hoped may secure a favor- 

 able result. 



This review of the operations of the past year warrants 

 the Custodian in congratulating the Society uj^on what it 

 has accomplished during that j^eriod, and on the present 



