[Proceedings United states National Museum, 1881. Appendix.] 

 SMITHSONIAN^ INSTITUTION. 



XJlSriTElD ST^^i-TES IST A.T I O N ^ L MIXJSEXJM: 



No. IG. 



PL.AIVS FOR THE IIVSTAI.L.ATIOIV OF €OL<L.FCTIOIVS. 



The collections iii the National Museum are now being assorted and 

 rearranged, for 4he purj^ose of placing on exhibition a selected series 

 of objects which shall be of interest to visitors, and of making the re- 

 mainder serviceable for purposes of scientific and technological invest- 

 igation. A large portion of the most interesting material has never yet 

 been exhibited on account of lack of space. 



The following general principles have been adopted in this work : 



1. No object will be placed on exhibition which is not of evident 

 educational value, and likely to interest and instruct a considerable 

 percentage of the persons visiting the Museum. 



2. The exhibition of duplicate material is to be avoided, except in 

 instances where similar objects can be shown to advantage in different 

 divisions of the Museum. 



3. Each object will be placed in a case of the form best suited for its 

 effective display, and the light, color of the background, &c., will be so 

 adjusted as to show it to best possible advantage, and with the least 

 possible fatigue to the eyes of the visitor. 



4. Each object, or group of objects, will be accompanied by a- large 

 plainly printed label, which will give a concise description of what is 

 shown, an account of its origin and uses, a synopsis of its history, and 

 the name of the person or organization contributing it to the Museum. 

 The character of the Museum is such that any labels which might sug- 

 gest advertising for business purposes must be excluded. It will be 

 the policy of the Museum, however, to give prominence on each label 

 to the name of the person or business house from whom it has been 

 received, provided that the object is a gift to the Museum. 



5. The objects will be grouped together in systematic order, and each 

 case will be provided with a general descriptive label. In the case of 

 collective exhibits, the general label may also give the name of the 

 contributor. 



