REPORT OF ASSISTANT SECRETARY. 15 



other like problems, better understood. The specimens resulting 

 from all Government surveys and investigations are transferred to the 

 National Museum as soon as the studies upon them are completed. 

 The Museum is, therefore, the depository for all Government collec- 

 tions. Those who wish to consult them, whether in the Government 

 employ or strangers to it, must come to the Museum. It is, there- 

 fore, to be concluded that the National Museum is not a passive bod}-, 

 but one most actively concerned in the development of the welfare of 

 the country. Yet, in a general way, the investigators of practical 

 problems for the Government find here only what they themselves 

 have collected. They need more complete series of objects in order 

 that their studies may be more complete, and at least for the benetit 

 of the industries of the country the gaps in the series should be filled 

 up as opportunity offers. An expert set to work upon a problem of 

 far-reaching economic importance requires to have before him all the 

 material possible, that nothing bearing upon his subject shall escape his 

 observation. It is the province of a large central museum to possess 

 these extended collections, classified and arranged so that they may at 

 all times be accessible. 



The curio shop of old has given way to the modern museum, with 

 its definite purpose based upon experience and the advance of knowl- 

 edge during many years. While the purpose may vary in accordance 

 with the character and advantages of a museum, none can doubt that 

 it should be the primary object of a great national museum like the 

 one at Washington to subserve the needs of the Government, to do a 

 large part toward promoting the material interests of the people. 



It is in this spirit and with these objects in view that appropriations 

 are asked for the purchase of such specimens as can not be acquired 

 in other ways. To approach perfection in the rounding out of collec- 

 tions is in itself naturally very gratifying, but to do this for the pur- 

 pose of benefiting the practical investigations of the Government is 

 the chief aim of the National Museum. Private collectors and students 

 have spent their lives in bringing together special collections which 

 are often far more perfect than can be obtained through the means sup- 

 plied by the Government, and rare and unique objects of exceeding- 

 value fall into the hands of individuals. The National Museum should 

 have the means of acquiring such of these as are required for the pur- 

 poses of the Government, and all this with the understanding that 

 the Museum is only a part of the system organized by the Government 

 for improving the condition of its people. 



The collections are separated into practically two series, the so-called 

 reserve or working series being arranged for the convenience of inves- 

 tigators, while for the instruction and entertainment of the public 

 ample provision is made here as elsewhere, much more room, in fact, 

 having been allotted to this than to other purposes. There is. of 



