REPORT OF THE SECRETARY. 11 



The exhibits in room 1, on Human Evolution, consist of: (a) A large series 

 of accurate, first-class casts of all the more important skeletal remains of au- 

 thentic antiquity; (b) photographic enlargements and water color sketches 

 showing the localities where the specimens were discovered; (c) charts show- 

 ing the relation of the archeological position of the various finds, and their 

 relation to the extinct fauna and to archeological epochs; (d) a series of 

 sketches by various scientific men showing their conception of the early man, 

 with several illustrations of drawings, statuettes, and bas-reliefs, showing early 

 man as drawn or sculptured by the ancient man himself; and (e) a remarkable 

 series of 10 large busts prepared by the eminent Belgian sculptor, M. Mascre, 

 imder the direction of Prof. Rutot, representing early man at different periods 

 of his physical advancement. 



The main part of the exhibits in room No. 2, devoted to man's development at 

 the present time, from the ovum onward, are three series of true-to-nature 

 busts, showing by definite age-stages, from birth onward and in both sexes, the 

 three principal races of this country, namely, the " thoroughbred " white Ameri- 

 can (for at least three generations in this continent on each parental side), the 

 Indian, and the full-blood American negro. These series, which required two 

 and one-half years of strenuous preparation, form a unique exhibit, for nothing 

 of similar nature has ever been attempted in this or any other country. Each 

 set consists of 30 busts, 15 males and 1.5 females, and proceeds from infants at 

 or within a few days after birth to the oldest persons that could be found. 

 The oldest negro woman is 114. After the new born, the stages are 9 months, 3 

 years, 6, 10, 15, 20, 28, 35, 45, 55, 65, and 75 years. The utmost care was exer- 

 cised in ascertaining the age, particularly among the negro and Indian. No 

 choice was made of the subjects beyond that due to the requirements of pedi- 

 gree, age, and good health. The whites and negroes were obtained, with a few 

 exceptions, in Washington and vicinity, but their places of birth range over a 

 large part of the Eastern, Southern, and Middle States; for the Indian, we 

 chose the Sioux, a large, characteristic, and in a very large measure still pure- 

 blood tribe, and one in which the determination of the ages of the subjects was 

 feasible. Special trips were made to these people, and no pains were spared 

 to get just what was wanted ; in the case of the new born, it was actually neces- 

 sary to wait until they came. 



Other exhibits in room 2 show the development, by various stages, of the 

 human brain, the skull, and various other parts of the body. A large series of 

 original specimens show the most closely related animal forms to man at the 

 present time, particularly the anthropoid apes ; a series of charts on the walls 

 deal with the phenomena of senility ; finally, 10 photographic enlargements 

 show living centenarians of various races. 



Human variation is shown in room 3 by 10 sets of large busts representing 

 10 of the more important races of man; by 200 original transparencies giving 

 racial portraits ; by over 100 bronzed facial casts, showing individual vari- 

 ations within some of the more impoi'tant branches of humanity ; and by numer- 

 ous charts and other exhibits. 



In room 4 a series of charts and maps relates to the death rate in various 

 countries, to the principal causes of death in the different parts of the world, 

 and to the distribution of the more common diseases over the earth. Actual 

 pathology is illustrated extensively by prehistoric American material. Many 

 hundreds of original specimens, derived principally from the pre-Columbian 

 cemeteries of Peru, show an extensive range of injuries and diseases, such as 

 have left their marks on the bones. In many instances the injuries are very 

 interesting, both from their extent and the extraordinary powers of recupera- 



