The United States National Miisemn 359 



two colossal composite figures and the model of a temple 

 tower of Babel, the latter being unique. For purposes of 

 the study of the mythology and culture of Mesopotamia the 

 collection of seals (upwards of three hundred in number) is 

 important. 



" The whole collection of Hittite casts (thirty-eight) is 

 unique in America, and affords a basis for the study of the 

 history and civilization of this people who played such an 

 important part in the ancient history of the Orient. 



" In the Grseco- Roman division rank foremost the Serpent 

 Column of Delphi and the reliefs of the pedestal of the Obe- 

 lisk, both from the Hippodrome in Constantinople. These 

 casts are unique. 



" In the Buddhist section there are some fine images of 

 Buddha of carved wood and bronze, models of pagodas from 

 Japan, and a rare collection of musical instruments as well as 

 other religious implements from China. 



" A rare piece of Mosaic representing a lion attacking a 

 horse, from an ancient temple in Carthage, also deserves 

 especial mention." 



The varied collections grouped together in the department 

 of "Arts and Industries" are not readily summarized, but the 

 following statements of those having the most important 

 series in charge will be of interest : 



"In the Section of Historical Collections," writes Mr. A. 

 Howard Clark, Honorary Curator, " are exhibited personal 

 relics of representative men and memorials of events and 

 places of historic importance. The nucleus of the collection 

 was the Washington relics transferred from the Patent Office 

 in 1883, and these still comprise the choicest of the his- 

 torical treasures, including, as they do, so many objects 

 intimately associated with General Washington during his 

 home life as well as military campaigns. Furniture, porce- 

 lain, glassware, and ornamental articles from Mount Ver- 

 non, Royal Worcester vases presented to him by Samuel 



