6 REPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1891. 



j2,ent curiosity to see tlie wonders of nature, tiie masterpieces of art, 

 and those tilings wbicli illustrate in tlie most striking manner the his- 

 tory and progress of civilization. They demand that the collections 

 shall be conveniently and attractively arranged and provided with 

 ])rief aud legible labels. An attempt is nuide in tbe National Museum 

 to meet the demands of all these classes. Large numbers of specimens, 

 in addition to those in the exhibition cases, are jireserved for use in 

 researches, and these are freqiu^ntly loaned for study, or (in the zoologi- 

 cal departments) are given freely to investigators for dissection and 

 other similar purjjoses. As far as possible, educational series of objects 

 similar to those in the Museum are nuide up from the duplicate speci- 

 mens f»nd distributed to educational institutions tliroughout the coun- 

 try. In this way the advantages of the Museum are extended to many 

 who have never been within its Avails. (A statement of the distribu- 

 tions dnring the year will l)e found on page 35.) 



In the matter of cases and appliances the Museum maj^es use of 

 those forms which experience at home and the study of the museums 

 of Europe have demonstrated to be the best. Many forms of cases 

 which have been designed or perfected by the officers of the National 

 Museum are in use in other museums both in the United iStates and 

 elsewhere. 



The importance of labels is fullj^ understood by the officers of the 

 Museum, aud nmch time is spent every year iii their preparation. The 

 Museum enjoys the advantage of having printed labels in place of writ- 

 ten ones. Their legibility and attractiveness is thus greatly increased. 



Every museum has its special characteristics growing out of its form 

 of organization, its location, scope, and financial ami other resources. 

 The character of the National Museum is thndanientally affected by its 

 connection with the Smithsonian Institution, its dependence upon Con- 

 gress for appropriations annually, and the necessity under existing 

 laws of its caring foi all collections behmging to the Government. 



Of the connection of the Museum with the Smithsonian Institution 

 nothing but good can be said. It should be borne in mind that it is in 

 part a Smithsonian Museum, since, especially in its earlier history, the 

 Institution expended considerable sums of money in aiding explorations 

 with the distinct purpose of increasing the collections in certain direc- 

 tions. It has had in addition, tor nearly half a century, the use of the 

 larger i)ortion of the Smithsonian building, and what is of paramount 

 importance, the guidance and influence of the oflicersof the Institution, 

 and the very valual)le assistance of its numerous correspondents. 



The necessity of depending on api)ropriations made annually, while 

 unavoidable under oiu- system of government, is not without serious 

 drawbacks. It renders difficult or impossible the carrying out of many 

 far-reaching plans for the symmetrical growth of the Museum, and places 

 it at a disadvantage with endowed museums under private auspices. 



