ORGANIZATION OF THE U. S. NATIONAL MUSEUM. 33 



tion of tlie Museum, by meaus of whicli, either (1) ou catalogue cards, 

 (2) on specially j)rintecl forms, or (3) in blank record books, arranged 

 after tlie manner of a bookkeeper's ledger, a record in systematic order 

 of the specimens is kept. 



6. The Historical File. — Consisting of all papers, manuscrii^t and 

 printed, relating to the history or description of specimens or other 

 scientific material received in the Museum — particularly letters and 

 catalogues which may accompany any specimens or lots of specimens at 

 the time of their reception. This file is accessory to and illustrative 

 of the Accession Record, ~So. 2. 



7. The Application and Proposal File. — This file is made up of all let- 

 ters and other papers relating to applications, such as are eutered in the 

 Kecord of Applications (No. 3), aud particularly lists of desiderata sub- 

 mitted by correspondents, and lists of duplicates in collections of cor- 

 respondents, sent for use in exchange or purchase. Here also may be 

 filed unaccepted i)roj)osals for furnishing supplies, furniture, &c., ar- 

 ranged, however, in a separate series. 



8. The Distribution File. — Made up of check-lists and memoranda re- 

 latiug to material sent out. When an application has been fully com- 

 plied with and is canceled, the papers relating thereto to be transferred 

 from 7 to 8 and arranged with those relating to the sending of objects 

 in response to said application. 



9. Correspondeyice Files. — This to consist of (1) indexed coi)y-book 

 record of letters written on Museum business, and (2) alphabetico- 

 chronological files of letters received in connection with same. 



10. Administration Files. — Consisting of the papers relating to the 

 internal administration of the Museum, reports, requisitions, orders, 

 bills, plans, contracts, registers of visitors, &c., &c. 



11. Puhlications relating to tcorJc of Museum, or founded upon material 

 which is its property. — This series of papers should be complete, arranged 

 with special reference to convenience of consultation. 



LXXXI. 



Management of Announcement Record. — The Announcement Record shall 

 be kept by the Registrar, to whom all memoranda and letters relating 

 to specimens or other objects announced or ijromised are to be given. 

 After entering in the Announcement Book such facts as may be called 

 for by the printed heads to the columns, these letters, «&c. are to be 

 marked with the current number of the announcement and returned, 

 filed in serial order, until the object is received. A monthly statement 

 of arrearages is to be furnished by the Eegistrar. 



Lxxxir. 



Management of Accession Record. — The Accession Record shall also be 

 kept by the Registrar, who shall enter all accessions in serial order, 



N M 1881 3 



