REPORT OP THE SECRETARY. 37 



hibits find their key in family groups placed centrally iii the halls. 

 The archeological collections are displayed in the second story, the 

 Old World series, both historic and prehistoric, occupying the eastern 

 side and northern end of the wing to the extent of about 7,927 square 

 feet, and the New World series the eastern side of the wing and 

 the entire east range, with a floor area of 22,540 square feet. The 

 exhibition of North American archeology is especially full and 

 important. 



The classification of the biological exhibits, at present restricted 

 to zoology, comprises five principal and several minor subdivisions, 

 of which the most extensive consists of a comprehensive representa- 

 tion of all the main groups of animals, each arranged faunally. 

 Next follow a systematic series, a series illustrating comparative 

 anatomy and osteology which is practically subsidiary to it, a series 

 of domestic animals, and a faunal series for the District of Columbia. 

 These are supplemented by a number of special exhibits illustrating 

 interesting phases in zoology and noteworthy features of the collec- 

 tion. The entire amount of space assigned to the department is 

 64,398 square feet, of which the faunally arranged exhibit utilizes 

 41,058 square feet. The mammals in this collection occupy the first 

 floor of the west wing, with the exception of a small area in which 

 the series of birds begins, the latter extending thence through the 

 western section of the west range; while the reptiles, batrachians, 

 fishes, and invertebrates are installed in the second story of the wing. 

 On the northern side of the wing is the collection of comparative 

 anatomy and osteology, followed successively in the west range by 

 the systematic series, the domestic animals, and the faunal exhibit 

 of the District of Columbia, the special exhibits being provided for 

 in alcoves on the court side of the range. 



The geological exhibits are classified under four subjects, namely, 

 systematic or physical and chemical geology, applied geology, min- 

 eralogy and paleontology. Besides the east wing, of which they have 

 entire possession, they occujoy only the eastern section of the adjoin- 

 ing range in the first story, the combined area amounting to 47,691 

 square feet. Systematic geology is displayed in the range, while 

 applied geology, including the most complete series of building and 

 ornamental stones in the country, and mineralogy, with the begin- 

 nings of an excellent representation of gems and precious stones, 

 are accommodated in the second story of the wing. In the lower 

 story, which is wholly devoted to paleontology, the fossil vertebrates, 

 with many skillfully prepared remains of extinct animals and several 

 large and striking skeletons, occupy the large sky-lighted hall and 

 eastern end of the wing, the fossil invertebrates the southern side of 

 the wing, and the fossil plants the northern side. 



