74 REPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1904. 



than the United States. This is due to the great diversity of its cli- 

 mate and industries; but above all, to the heterogeneity of its con- 

 stituents. The objects of such a survey would be to investigate the 

 physical status; certain physiological elements; relative fecundity; 

 the effects of racial mixtures; and certain pathological conditions 

 which have important influences on the population. These investiga- 

 tions would have to be prosecuted on (a) the various racial divisions 

 of the population; (/>) the Americans in large cities, as well as those 

 in the rural districts; those living in high and those in low lands; those 

 in the coldest and in the hottest regions; the seamen with extremes in 

 kinds of nourishment; (c) all such parts of the population as follow 

 the same mode of physical or mental activity, such as the laborer, 

 specialized artisan, professional athlete, specialized brainworker, the 

 highest class of inventor or original composer; (d) such divisions of 

 the population as are continuously subjected to differing social condi- 

 tions, and (f) the defective classes. In order that a survey of this 

 nature should succeed in this country, the very first condition would be 

 to elaborate, as far as possible, in conjunction with the Immigration 

 Bureau and the Census Bureau of the Department of Commerce 

 and Labor, accurate maps representing the racial constituents of the 

 population. 



Mr. Hawley proposes to complete his card catalogue of all the types 

 of musical instruments ever used by man; also by exchanges, copies, 

 and models to make the series of specimens complete as to types. 



In looking over the stock of material already mounted for exhibition 

 in swinging screens, unit boxes, and special frames, it was found that 

 much of it was piled up in such a way that for years it would be lost 

 not only to the public but also to the student. In the new Museum 

 installation should not be handicapped by faded backgrounds, soiled 

 labels, and discarded furniture. Therefore many hundreds of speci- 

 mens have been cut from the mountings and returned to the study 

 series, the boxes and frames being sent to storage. In this way the 

 floors of the halls have been cleared of packing boxes. It is purposed 

 to continue this process into spaces now set apart for storage. 



The general plan for the Department during the year 1904-5 will be 

 to make the collections still more useful to the students, authors, and 

 teachers. No changes of arrangement are contemplated for the pres- 

 ent building, but every effort will be made to perfect the exhibits that 

 will be set up in the new one. 



CHANGES IN THE DEPARTMENT. 



Owing to the constant growth of the Department of Anthropology, 

 it was deemed wise during the year to make certain changes in its 

 organization, so that at present all divisions of the subject that may 

 be taught and studied by objects are represented. Physiological 



