76 REPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1891. 



cal Assucial.iou December 31. The railing formerly arouiul the boat liall waw removed 

 and placed in the lecture hall. Owing to the coldAveather two laborer.s were detailed 

 for special duty in the engine room. Plumbers were busy repairing leaks in sewer 

 pipes. A large radiator in the superintendent's ofitice was removed and a new oue 

 substituted. 



1891. 



January,. — Tlie wires running from the boiler room to tlu; various electric lights in 

 the building were inspected and rejjaired. The National Dairy and ]'''ood Connuis- 

 sicmers' Association met in the lecture hall December 14. Iho building was wirexl 

 for electric lights. 



Fehruarii. — The transportation exhibit in the eastern hall was rearranged, neces- 

 sitating the services of the greater part of the laboring Ibrce. Changes were made 

 in tiie boiler room, whereby considerable more room and space were gained. Two 

 lai-ge pine screens Avere made and placed at the entrance to the rotunda balcony in 

 tiio south hall. 



March. — The rooms on the south side of the east entrance were newly jiainted. 

 The office rooms on the west balcony were frescoed and itaiuted. The large paint- 

 ing, "The March of Time," by Heni-y 8andhan), de]iosited by the artist, was placed 

 in the north hall. The basement of the Smithsonian building was thoroughly cleaned 

 and Avhitewashed. 



^IprU. — A largo force of laborers was engaged in prejtaring an exhibit of patents 

 in the lecture hall, in connection with the Patent Centennial celebration. Laborers 

 were engaged for scA^eral days in arranging lecture hall and ofBce rooms for the meet- 

 ings of the National Academy of Science. The roof on the building at the Avest cud 

 of the Smithsonian Avas removed. 



Mai/. — The electric lights were placed in order for the visit of the Medical Con- 

 gress on May 7. The cases and material in the anthroi)ol()gical hall of the Smith- 

 sonian Avero entirely rearranged necessitating the detail of a large laboring force. 

 A leak in the gas main at the south entrance was repaired by the Museum ])lumbers 

 and laborers. A large shed was prepared for the taxidermists' Avork. 



June. — Twenty ^-unit cases were removed from the Avest balcony to other depart- 

 ments of the Museum, being leplaced by two large Avail storage cases. A force of 

 laborers was engaged for several days in prejjariugthe shed south of the Smithsonian 

 building ibr the taxidermists in connection Avith the World's Fair. The work of re- 

 moving the oldrof)f from the chapel in the Smithsonian building is under Avay, requir- 

 ing a lai'ge force of laborers. 



THE AVORK OF THE MUSEUM PREPARATORS. 



TAXIDKKIMISTS. 



Ill September, 1890, the force of taxidermists was reorganized. At 

 tliat time it consisted of only tliree regular taxidermists and one voluu- 

 teev, and the number Avas not increased until Ww spring, when (me 

 taxidermist was designated to take general charge of the Avorlc under 

 superintendence of the curator of mammals. The skins which had 

 accumulated in the vats, some 400 in number, were examined and 

 their exact condition (for mounting or addition to the reserve series) 

 was ascertained. A car<l-catah)gue of the entire collection of skins 

 was prepared, detailed information regarding earh skin being ol)taine<l. 

 In March, ISO], preparations Aver*' commence<l for an exhibit of mam- 

 mals at illeA^'ol•ld's (■olumbiai! Ex}»osition. A plan was submitted and 

 approved, steps being iinmediately taken to obtain the necessary mate- 

 rial for exhibition. Tlic force of taxidermists Avas then increased and 

 a special workshop Avas litted up for their use, Mr. Williaiii Palmer 

 being appointed chief taxidermist. The number of legular taxider- 

 mists was increased to six, and one special laborer Avas also added. 



('oUeeiioH of mounted domestic animals. — The work of mounting typi- 

 cal s])ecimeiis of domestic birds has been continued by Mr. Xelson li. 



