14 KEPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1912. 



The general layout of the zoological exhibits, including those in 

 progress, is as follows : Arranged on a f aimal basis, the mammals 

 and birds occupy the entire space on the first floor assigned to the 

 department, the former group filling most of the west wing, and the 

 latter beginning there and extending through the western section of 

 the west range, while the reptiles, batrachians, fishes, and inverte- 

 brates are provided for in the north and outer halls of the second 

 story of the wdng, in which the north hall contains the extensive col- 

 lection illustrating animal development and anatomy, and especially 

 osteology. In the second story of the west range the western section 

 is devoted to systematic zoology, and the northern section to domestic 

 animals and the faunal collection for the District of Columbia. In 

 this space provision is also made for several special exhibits, includ- 

 ing albinism, melanism, and hybridism, which have already been in 

 part prepared. 



By the removal of the natural history collections to the new build- 

 ing a large extent of space has been secured for the reorganization 

 and development of the department of arts and industries and for 

 the display on a scale more commensurate with their importance of 

 the methods and results of the applied arts and sciences. Following 

 the erection of the older Museum building in 1881, this department 

 became one of the most prominent in the Museum, only to have a 

 large part of its collections relegated to storage with the increasing 

 demands of the natural history branches. Certain of the subjects, 

 how^ever, have been kept alive, such as the graphic arts, ceramics, 

 medicine, naval architecture, land transportation, electrical and other 

 mechanical invention, measuring devices, and firearms, and in some 

 of these the collections have been greatly enlarged and made dis- 

 tinctively important. Final plans for the other subjects have not 

 yet been definitely formulated, but toward the close of last year the 

 unpacldng of the great mass of material that had been in storage 

 was taken up and well advanced. Many of the specimens were 

 found to be more or less damaged, but the greater part can prob- 

 ably be utilized and will furnish a considerable nucleus of his- 

 torical interest from which the collections can be extended and com- 

 pleted to meet the conditions of the present time. This accomplished, 

 it is proposed that the department shall thereafter keep in touch with 

 the principal changes and improvements in industrial lines. 



In March, 1912, the division of textiles, with a curator in charge, 

 was reestablished, and for the present at least it will also have cus- 

 tody of most other vegetable and animal products. Its exhibition 

 series, to be started without delay, will necessarily be extensive and 

 varied, and should appeal as strongly to manufacturers and dealers 

 as to the public. The organization of a division of mineral tech- 



