REPORTS ON THE COLLECTIONS. 



REPORT ON THE DEPARTMENT OF ANTHROPOLOGY. 

 By Walter Hough, Acting Head Curator. 



INTRODUCTION. 



The department of anthropology closed a prosperous year in 

 the acquisition of specimens. The customary and special work was 

 carried on with vigor and efficiency on account of the somewhat in- 

 creased personnel, which permitted a more equitable assignment 

 of duties. The widening scope of anthropology, remarked as an 

 outstanding feature of the present progress of science, was reflected 

 in the work of the several divisions of the department. This was 

 also shown by the nature of the inquiries which came in great num- 

 bers from persons wishing information on various subjects. More 

 and more inquiries were made with the view of securing information 

 of a practical nature, as for use in advertising or for other business 

 interests. Informational advertisements are more likely to be read 

 and appreciated by the public. Other inquiries related to special 

 needs or to requests for literature on special lines. In these ways 

 the department found itself carrying on a line of university ex- 

 tension of proved usefulness in a wide field. These features are 

 not cited as novel instances of the work of the Museum, for the 

 Museum is generally recognized as a public institution eager to help 

 in all good causes despite its somewhat limited facilities, but to show 

 its increasing value to the public. This aspect is often lost sight 

 of or not fully appreciated. Anyone who knows the varied, im- 

 portant, and unadvertised work of the Museum will be keen for 

 its support as an indispensable element in the social organization of 

 an enlightened society. 



It must be said that a museum which is expected and even re- 

 quired to grow normally must not only utilize all its energies in 

 building all the branches constituting a museum, but must be sup- 

 plied with means to carry on the work. There must be a constant 

 supply of funds which will take care of the growth of an active 

 living museum. 



ACCESSIONS DESERVING SPECIAL NOTICE. 



The accessions for the most part represent the introduction of a 

 high class of material to the Museum series and some are of the 



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