J. F. G. Stokes' J^/'sif to American Museums . 9 



and a great number of fish casts. The mode of mounting birds and 

 mammals in groups is to be ver}' highly recommended, as such a 

 procedure calls for the keen observation which only the true nat- 

 uralist can exercise. Of the fine groups of mammals in the National 

 Museum, the most noteworthy was that of the bisons, where the 

 imitation of nature was ver}^ good. There were other pleasing 

 groups, musk-ox, antelope, caribou and moose. The collection of 

 shells was a very valuable one, including as it did many specimens 

 not duplicated in other institutions. However they were rather 

 poorly exhibited on account of the lack of space, and only the 

 kindness of the Curator, Dr. Dall, permitted the writer to obtain an 

 adequate idea of the collecftion. The corals might well be increased 

 in number, and no doubt the recent expedition of the Albatross 

 (1899) will contribute to this department. The ethnological col- 

 lections from the Pacific region were scant, although very valuable, 

 being composed largely of specimens gathered by the Wilkes 

 Expedition in 1 841-3. There were two large stone images from 

 Rapanui, which the museum was fortunate in possessing, and other 

 objects from this island were fairly plentiful. The Australian and 

 Papuan collecftions needed increasing, and satisfactory exchanges 

 could be effected with the Australian museums. Of American ab- 

 original pottery and basket work there was great abundance, as also 

 other specimens pertaining to American ethnology. The groups 

 of aborigines performing home duties are worthy of especial notice. 

 Series showing the evolution of the axe, hammer and other tools 

 from their most primitive forms to the modern types, were admir- 

 ably illustrated. There was one room which contained a large 

 series of boats, showing every form from the dugout canoe to the 

 modern steamboat and sailing vessel. The canoes and small boats 

 were represented by originals, and models took the place of larger 

 vessels. The geological colledlions were large and comprehensive, 

 and the specimens displayed in a way which thoroughly showed 

 the character of each. 



It seemed strange after visiting the Capitol and Congressional 

 lyibrary in Washington and noting the undoubted architectural 

 and artistic skill of Americans, that the magnificent colle(5tion in 

 the Smithsonian Institution and National Museum .should not be 

 housed in a building more befitting the dignity of the United 

 States' capital. Against the arrangement of the specimens in the 

 National Museum nothing could be said, although in the Smith- 



