KEPORT OF THE SECRETAEY, 25 



search in connection with the work of classification, and students 

 from kindred institutions frequently visit Washington or have col- 

 lections sent to them for investigation. 



Duplicate material is used, when not actually needed for study, 

 for the purpose of exchange witli other museums, and to a limited 

 extent, b}^ authority given by Congress to the Regents of the Institu- 

 tion, for distribution among American schools. Fourteen thousand 

 specimens were distributed during the past year to schools and 

 colleges throughout the land for the general purpose of promoting 

 education. 



The present crowded condition of the building has rendered it 

 difficult to place any more collections there, and such as come in from 

 one source or another are in the main temporarily stored in rented 

 buildings. While it has been found impossible to increase the 

 amount of material on exhibition, the standard of the objects ex- 

 hibited is being constantly improved, and the methods of installation 

 represent the most modern practice in this regard. 



In the division of ethnology a place has been made for a Malaj^sian 

 collection contributed by Dr. W. L. Abbott and an interesting Philip- 

 pine exhibit gathered by Dr. E. A. Mearns. Over the hall of 

 njammals has been hung the casr. of a great sulphur-bottom whale, 

 about 80 feet in length. Another noteworthy addition during the 

 past year is the reconstructed skeleton of a gigantic Triceratops, meas- 

 uring almost 20 feet. 



During the course of the year seme 235,000 persons, an average of 

 753 visitors a day, have viewed these collections. This number would 

 unquestionably be greatly increased should it become feasible to open 

 the building at night or on Sundays. 



Work on the new building, for the continuation of which Congress 

 at its last session appropriated SI, 500,000, is progressing satisfac- 

 torily. The excavation Avas completed and the heavy concrete founda- 

 tion laid last autumn. The erection of the outer walls of granite is 

 now well under way. 



The completion of this structure will, it is hoped, mark the begin- 

 ning of a new era in the activities of the National Museum. No 

 longer cramped for space, it can suitably care for the splendid col- 

 lections intrusted to its care; by exhibiting these, and by labels, pub- 

 lications, and lectures, it will still further endeavor to impart definite 

 instruction along definite lines to all who care to learn. Then, as 

 now, the first great lesson it will try to enforce is that a museum is 

 in nowise a cabinet of curios to while away an idle moment, but an 

 active instrument for the diffusion of knowledge among men. 

 SM 1905 6 •- >\ - 



