REPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1922. 45 



nology. Changes in the public exhibits were necessarily made to ad- 

 mit of the proper installation of these new groups ; lesser changes were 

 also made as our efforts to improve exhibits progressed. A consider- 

 able number of broken pottery vessels were cleaned, repaired, and re- 

 numbered as opportunity offered. During the curator's absence in the 

 field satisfactory progress was made in the consolidation of secondary 

 collections from various States. This imperative work is now about 

 half completed ; it is hoped that the remaining collections may receive 

 attention during the present summer. In addition, much time was 

 devoted to the division records, and this very tedious, though im- 

 portant task, after having commanded a large part of our activities 

 during the past 10 years, promises soon to be completed. The con- 

 dition of the collections remains unchanged since the last annual 

 report was submitted, excepting for such cleaning and repairing as 

 that previously noted. The principal need of the exhibition halls 

 is that of general and individual labels, and present plans, if real- 

 ized, should find these largely in place two years hence. An inter- 

 esting collection of bannerstones, showing all degrees of working 

 and valuable as a study of aboriginal stone technology, was put on 

 view. 



In the division of Old World archeology the collection illustrative 

 of Buddhism was rearranged and labeled. The assistant curator is 

 preparing a handbook on the prehistoric and historic antiquities of 

 the collection. 



In physical anthropology the collections were kept in as serviceable 

 condition as crowding permits ; however, until more drawers, exhibi- 

 tion cases, and especially storage space, are supplied, full justice can 

 not be given to the splendid material in the collection. With the 

 rapidly growing collection there follows the need of greater pro- 

 ' vision for the proper handling, study, and access to the specimens. 



In the art textile hall installation was made of a noteworthy col- 

 lection of varieties of fine European lace and the the type case of 

 laces was refitted and reinstalled. 



The ceramic collection was kept in good order and improved by 

 changes in the installation. A case containing typical examples of 

 American art pottery was supplied for the exhibit of the National 

 Gallery of Art. Considerable interest was displayed in the collection 

 of ceramics by visitors. It is regretted that the collection is so poor 

 in many lines. 



Among the contributions of the department to other divisions dur- 

 ing the year was the preparation and installation of the Monroe 

 and Jackson dresses for the collection of period costumes. 



The most valuable adjunct of the department of anthropology is 

 the laboratory. Its services are in constant demand by the divisions 



