44. REPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1921. 
The most advanced methods employed in the division of physical 
anthropology for the cleaning, repair, cataloguing, identification, 
etc., were applied to the old collections from the Army Medical 
Museum and from other sources. The collection in general is con- 
stantly improving in all respects through intensive work continued 
from year to year. It is the endeavor to keep abreast of the im- 
provements in the methods of museum science and to maintain the 
material in a state of effectiveness. Necessarily the rapid increase 
in specimens received by the division required better facilities for 
storage which will provide easier access to the accumulating 
material. 
The rearrangement of the cases in art textiles greatly benefited 
the appearance of the hall. The exhibit of laces was also much im- 
proved by the arrangement of the specimens following the recon- 
struction of the cases to eliminate as far as possible the entrance of 
dust. On the south and west walls a splendid collection of oriental 
rugs was hung. 
Plans were made for improving the installation of the collection 
of musical instruments and dust proofing the cases. Steps were 
taken to prepare a catalogue and handbook, which should render 
the exhibit of greater value to the public. 
The ceramic collection shows the results of several years’ work 
on improving the character of the exhibit. Efforts were made to 
eliminate material not needed in the collection, much of which had 
been collected in a haphazard manner. Noteworthy is the exhibit 
of two cases of rare old Bohemian ruby glass donated by Mrs. C. E. 
Danforth, of San Diego, Calif. 
The varied and important work performed in the anthropological 
laboratory contributed materially to the benefit of the public exhibi- 
tion. Work was carried on here which could not be performed in the 
divisions. The necessities of the department occupied the time of the 
laboratory except for occasional jobs of expert work for other sec- 
tions of the Museum. Aside from current tasks, original work in 
modeling lay figures was continued and new methods for expe- 
diting the work were tried out. The joining of broken pottery ves- 
sels, skeletons, and other specimens by means of adhesive cements 
and such materials has been subject to a long investigation, and satis- 
factory results have been reached. Many specimens which require a 
degree of restoration were sent to the laboratory for special attention. 
RESEARCH WORK. 
The devotedness to scientific work by the personnel of the depart- 
ment, a feature shared by the entire personnel of the National 
Museum, is shown by the amount of research work prosecuted by the 
staff. It is also evident that this work is not limited to the legal 
hours of labor. 
