REPORT OF THE SECRETARY. 17 
Chinese photographs—tThe Institution has received a valuable 
series of large photographic negatives taken by Mr. Bailey Willis in 
connection with his geological work in China. These photographs 
represent scenery, particularly landscapes in which the loess forma- 
tion is conspicuous, and also Chinese buildings, monuments, and the 
people themselves. The route of the expedition through the Prov- 
inces of Chihli, Shansi, and Shensi led through the district of the 
loess formation and some remote mountain regions of great interest 
and scenic beauty. Copies of many of these photographs have been 
furnished at cost to various institutions for educational purposes. 
NATIONAL MUSEUM. 
The most important item of interest in connection with the Na- 
tional Museum during the year was the completion on June 20, 1911, 
of all structural work on the new building, just six years after the 
excavations for the foundation were commenced. On another page 
the Assistant Secretary in charge of the Museum mentions the very 
superior character of the building for museum purposes. It is mas- 
sive and imposing in appearance. It is well lighted. There is little 
room that can not be utilized. More than one-half of the 10 acres 
of floor space is placed at the service of the public in the interest of 
popular education, while the remaining space is used for reserve col- 
lections and laboratories of the scientific departments and divisions 
and for the maintenance of the building and the operation of the 
heating, lighting, and ventilating plant. The greater part of the 
natural-history collections, including ethnology, have been removed 
to the new structure; while in the old building space is now afforded 
for the proper display of objects pertaining to the arts and indus- 
tries, including the collection illustrating the graphic arts and the art 
textiles, and also for the large and interesting series illustrative of 
American history. Although there has as yet been no formal dedi- 
cation of the new building, the exhibition halls are being opened to 
the public one after another as the reinstallation of the exhibits pro- 
gresses. It is planned in the near future to admit visitors to the 
new building, for a portion of the day at least, on Sundays in order 
that the people of Washington may be afforded a long-desired op- 
portunity to study the national collections in their leisure hours. 
The number of visitors to the new building during the year was 
151,112 and to the old building 207,010. 
The auditorium in the new building has been utilized for meetings 
of various scientific bodies and important lectures. The First Ameri- 
can International Humane Congress was held there from October 
10 to 15, 1910, and in connection therewith an interesting exhibit was 
displayed. 
38734°—sm 1911——2 
