REPORT OF THE SECRETARY. 17 



Chinese photographs. — The Institution has received a valuable 

 series of large photographic negatives taken by Mr. Bailey Willis in 

 connection with his geological work in China. These photographs 

 represent scenery, particularly landscapes in which the loess forma- 

 tion is conspicuous, and also Chinese buildings, monuments, and the 

 people themselves. The route of the expedition through the Prov- 

 inces of Chihli, Shansi, and Shensi led through the district of the 

 loess formation and some remote mountain regions of great interest 

 and scenic beauty. Copies of many of these photographs have been 

 furnished at cost to various institutions for educational purposes. 



NATIONAL MUSEUM. 



The most important item of interest in connection with the Na- 

 tional Museum during the year was the completion on June 20, 1911, 

 of all structural work on the new building, just six years after the 

 excavations for the foundation were commenced. On another page 

 the Assistant Secretary in charge of the Museum mentions the very 

 superior character of the building for museum purposes. It is mas- 

 sive and imposing in appearance. It is well lighted. There is little 

 room that can not be utilized. More than one-half of the 10 acres 

 of floor space is placed at the service of the public in the interest of 

 popular education, while the remaining space is used for reserve col- 

 lections and laboratories of the scientific departments and divisions 

 and for the maintenance of the building and the operation of the 

 heating, lighting, and ventilating plant. The greater part of the 

 natural-history collections, including ethnology, have been removed 

 to the new structure; while in the old building space is now afforded 

 for the proper display of objects pertaining to the arts and indus- 

 tries, including the collection illustrating the graphic arts and the art 

 textiles, and also for the large and interesting series illustrative of 

 American history. Although there has as yet been no formal dedi- 

 cation of the new building, the exhibition halls are being opened to 

 the public one after another as the reinstallation of the exhibits pro- 

 gresses. It is planned in the near future to admit visitors to the 

 new building, for a portion of the day at least, on .Sundays in order 

 that the people of Washington may be afforded a long-desired op- 

 portunity to study the national collections in their leisure hours. 



The number of visitors to the new building during the year was 

 151,112 and to the old building 207,010. 



The auditorium in the new building has been utilized for meetings 

 of various scientific bodies and important lectures. The First Ameri- 

 can International Humane Congress was held there from October 

 10 to 15, 1910, and in connection therewith an interesting exhibit was 

 displayed. 



38734°— sm 1911—2 



