The Ammassalik Eskimo. 475 
by some official of the Department. Only in such case can it be fairly 
said that these cupboards "are likewise accessible for scientific inspec- 
tion” (THOMSEN, p. 422, note 2). 
It is a notorious fact, that parts of the Greenland collections, in- 
cluding Horm's from Ammassalik, have been stored away from time 
to time. With regard to Horm’s collection, this was certainly stored 
away during the period immediately prior to 1898. I do not know wheth- 
er this removal is or is not connected with that rearrangement of the 
Greenland collections which Hr. Tuomsen refers to as having taken 
place “some ten years back” — if so, the rearrangement must have been 
a somewhat lengthy process. Considerable portions of the old Green- 
land collections were not on exhibition during some of the first years 
of this century, and the visiting scientist could only obtain a sight of 
individual items on special requisition. Hr. THOMSEN maintains (last 
part of note 2, р. 422) that when I spoke of Horm's collection as having 
“Jain in the Museum since 1888” it was my intention to imply that it 
had been on exhibition since that time. This is simply not correct. 
Where have I said any such thing? The fact just pointed out shows 
that a statement to that effect would have been untrue, while on the 
other hand I am perfectly justified in asserting that the collection has 
lain or been lodged in the Museum since that date without being conti- 
nually on view. 
I would further add, that Hr. THOMSEN vouchsafes no information 
whatever in answer to my observations concerning certain stone ob- 
jects missing from the Holm collection, and not mentioned in the list 
given (cf. Medd. om Gronl. vol. 39, p. 493 and note 1). 
With regard to Hr. Тномзех’з footnote р. 423 I would merely 
point out that a “letter forwarded by the Museum authorities” is not 
synonymous with an answer, and it was to an answer I referred in my 
book at the place quoted. There are letters which can be said to con- 
tain an answer, and letters which cannot be said to contain any answer 
at all. 
I have thus had good grounds for my assertion above referred to 
anent the Greenland collections in the Museum. As a matter of fact, 
however, it was not my intention to imply that any blame should attach 
to the Museum on this account; naturally I know well enough that 
museums are often unable, from want of space, to set all their contents 
on view. 
The illustration of the case containing the Ammassalik collection 
may perhaps be so cleverly contrived as to show the manner in which 
the exhibits are set up, but it cannot give a correct or an entire idea 
of the reality. I venture to maintain that a good photograph shows 
the objects more distinctly than reality, since the picture in a photo- 
graph is projected on a plane, whereas the actual perspective renders 
more distant objects less distinct. In any case, the illustration should 
