18 REPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1908. 
carried above the pediments of the pavilion in the shape of a circular 
granite wall, capped by a simple rounded dome with slate covering, 
attaining a height of 162 feet 2 inches above the ground line. The 
south pavilion contains the main entrance, sheltered by a portico sup- 
ported by heavy Corinthian columns, of which there are 6 in the 
cuter row. Below these are the steps and platforms of the approaches 
from the driveway, all to be built of granite. 
Aside from the south pavilion the exterior of the building is prac- 
tically without ornamentation, and the same is true of the interior, 
as explained below. Well-designed lines and proportions have pro- 
duced an air of refinement most pleasing and effective, which any 
added features in the way of embellishment could only serve to 
depreciate. The purpose of the building is evident from the outside. 
The window openings predominate, being everywhere, except in the 
upper story, much wider than the intervening piers. The color 
tone is very light. The granite for the exterior walls has come from 
three sources. A pink or warm gray variety from Milford, Massa- 
chusetts, has been used for the basement; a nearly white stone from 
Mount Airy, North Carolina, for the upper story; and a pure white 
granite from the recently opened quarry at Bethel, Vermont, for the 
two main stories and the south and north pavilions. Such parts of 
the roofs as can be seen from the outside are covered with light 
green slate, the same as will be used for the dome, which harmonizes 
well with the stone work. 
In ground plan the building has a general rectangular outline, 
but fundamentally it consists of three main wings joined to the south 
pavilion in the shape of the letter T. Two series of ranges, placed 
at right angles and connecting with the wings near their outer ends, 
compose the northeastern and northwestern parts of the building, 
and help to inclose two uncovered courts, each of which is 128 feet 
square. The interior width of the wings is 114 feet, of the ranges 
54 feet. In the latter the lighting is entirely from windows, and 
thus one story succeeds another uniformly and without any openings 
through the floors. A different arrangement was necessary for the 
broad wings and has been worked out as follows: The lower story, 
which has been termed the “ basement,” although raised several feet 
above the adjacent street, is wholly covered by the floor of the next 
or main story, and in the middle parts will require artificial hghting. 
This condition, however, will not prevent the utilization of all the 
space in this story. The middle of the eastern wing will be occupied 
by the boilers and machinery, and that of the western by a large 
inclosure for the storage of alcoholic specimens, while that of the 
central wing will be used as an exhibition hall for large objects, 
besides serving as a passageway from the north entrance to the 
auditorium in the south pavilion. The windows will furnish light 
