REPOET OF ASSISTANT DIRECTOR. 27 



in connection with the i)reparation of cases for the reception of the ex- 

 hibits then shortly expected from New Orleans. 



From the semi-annual report of the superintendent are abstracted 

 the following paragraphs, which will serve to show in part the work ac- 

 complished by the laboring force during the first half of the year: 



In January the cases containing the collection of fossils were removed from the 

 east-south and west-south ranges into the south-east court. The north-east-*<JOurt 

 was cleared for the exhibition ©f sijecimens in the Department of Ethnology. 

 The laboratory and offices of the curator of Metallurgy were moved from the iirst 

 floor of the south-west pavilion to the second floor. The offices of the curator of 

 Mammals were moved from the south tower to the first floor of the south-west pavil- 

 ion. The installation of certain metallurgical exhibits was commenced. Some of the 

 specimens are very heavy, and required much time and a large force to eff'ect their 

 transfer properly. 



In February cases were prepared for the reception of the basket exhibit by the 

 Department of Ethnology. The cases containing the textile exhibit were arranged 

 in the west hall. The collections of modern pottery and terra-cotta were installed 

 on the north side of the west hall. Several cases containing minerals were removed 

 from the west-south range into the Mineral hall. The handling of heavy cases full of 

 specimens was continued for several days during this month. 



In March the force of attendants was increased, and many of the laborers assigned 

 to duty as watchmen, on account of the extra crowds of visitors expected during the 

 " inauguration season." During the five days, March 2 to March 6, no less than 48,148 

 people visited the Smithsonsian building and the National Museum. On March 3 

 10,781 people were registered in the Museum and 9,719 in the Smithsonian building. 

 On March 19 the heavy specimens of pottery, terra-cotta, tiling, &c., were trans- 

 ferred from the Smithsonian building to the Museum. The walls of the south hall 

 were decorated with heads of elk, deer, and buffaloes. 



In April the U. S. Fish Commission steamer Albatross arrived with several wagon- 

 loads of specimens for the Department of Marine Invertebrates. These were trans- 

 ferred without delay. Work-rooms were constructed and fitted up in the Annex 

 building for the use of the modelers. A large and heavy portion of the exhibits from 

 the London Fisheries Exhibition, which had been stored on the east balcony, were 

 assigned and transferred to the proper departments. The laboratory of the Depart- 

 ment of Mollusks was fitted with standard wall cases. 



In May a shed for the accommodation of stone-cutters was built between the Mu- 

 senm building and the Annex. The south and east fronts of the Museum building 

 were paved with concrete. A very large collection of birds was removed from the 

 Agricultural Department to the Smithsonian building. Much time was devoted to 

 the preparation of cases for the exhibits to be returned from the New Orleans Ex- 

 position. 



In June a loft was constructed in the Annex building for storage purposes. The 

 collection of scientific apparatus was removed from the Smithsonian building into the 

 Museum building and installed in suitable cases. The north-west gallery of the Smi fch- 

 ' sonian building was cleared and fitted witn cases and shelving for the collections of 

 marine invertebrates, which were transferred thither from the west hall. This work 

 involved the expenditure of much time and labor. Nineteen car-loads of metallurgical 

 exhibits were received from Philadelphia and unpacked. The painting of the exterior 

 wood-work of the Smithsonian building was commenced. 



(6) Electric service. 



The only additions during the first half of the year consisted in (1) 

 replacing the 50-drop annunciator with a 100-drop instrument; (2) a 

 jaow standard-time clock connected with the Naval Observatory and 



