132 EEPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1888. 



The most important consideration in regard to the collection in the 

 department of Prehistoric Anthropology is that it is much crowded. 

 The number of objects in the collection intended for exhibition amounts 

 to 108,705. These are displayed in cases according to the following 

 list: 



Square feet. 

 57 upright wall cases, 6 shelves high, 14 trays, each tray 2 feet by 1.2 square 



feet ; 28 square feet to each case ; 28 square feet by 57 cases 1, 596 



34 double upright alcove cases, same siiperfice 1, 904 



8 double table cases (16 single cases), 8 trays to each 256 



The lower portion iuclosed with glass and intended for exhibition space .. 256 



14 double table tops (28 single), same superfice 448 



21 table cases, 8 trays 336 



Exhibition space underneath 336 



12 table cases, 6 trays, 12 square feet each 144 



Exhibition space underneath 144 



1 table case, 8 trays 16 



6 double hip-roofed cases, with legs, pottery 168 



153 cases; total surface (square feet) for. exhibition purposes 5,604 



The entire superficial area of the hall is 10,000 square feet. 



Sq. Ft. 



The space now occupied by exhibition cases is 5,604 



Pueblo models - 1,750 



Twenty-one window spaces, occupied by heaters and Central American 



sculptures '. -- - — -- — - = . -- -..--..... 378 



7,732 



Aisles 4,370 



Entrance ............. = . 630 



5,000 



Total space accounted for, square feet . 12, 732 



It is apparent from this statement that the cases now placed in the hall 

 can not be put closer together, nor under the arrangement can their 

 number be augmented. A proper display of the objects seems to re- 

 quire additional room. This declaration is not made as a complaint, 

 but for the purpose of putting upon record the necessity for increased 

 space, which may be considered when the opportunity arrives. A sug- 

 gestion how the iDresent situation may be ameliorated will be made 

 farther on, but no permanent relief can be afforded without an enlarge- 

 ment of space. 



Some of the great museums in Europe are comprised exclusively of 

 the objects which pertain to this department. The Musee of St. Ger- 

 main is exclusively prehistoric, yet it alone occupies the palace of St. 

 Germain, an immense structure with moat and portcullis, built by Henry 

 IV. The palace is now being restored throughout and made fire-proof. 

 Its sole intended use is for this prehistoric museum. Each story is de- 

 voted to one prehistoric age. The same general statement is true of 

 the great prehistoric museum at Copenhagen. It occupies the eight 

 large halls of the Prince's Palace, and fills one hundred and eighty-seven 



