210 REPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1888. 



There have been two important collections turned over to the de- 

 partment by the U. S. Geological Survey. One, embracing five hun- 

 dred and thirty-niue specimens, was collected by Mr. J. S. Curtis in 

 preparing his report on the silver-lead district of Eureka, Nevada. 

 The second is a very extensive collection, embracing seven hundred 

 and thirty -three specimens, collected by Mr. S. F. Emmons in preparing 

 his report upon the geology of Leadville, Colorado. 



Two researches were carried on during the year. The first was the 

 perfecting of the Harape method of determining sub-oxide of copper in 

 metallic copper, in order to carry on a further investigation upon the 

 refining of pig-copper; and the other was a complete chemical examina- 

 tion of the very large collection of the Lone Elm Smelting Works at 

 Joplin, Missouri. The latter investigation necessitated the making of 

 sixteen complete chemical analyses, including the working out of sev- 

 eral special methods of analysis to apply to some of the products. At 

 these works the non-argentiferous galena of southwest Missouri is 

 smelted to pig-lead, and the fumes given off during the smelting, which 

 are ordinarily lost, are transformed into white paint. These fumes are 

 exceedingly interesting and complex in their composition, and their 

 analysis has afforded much new and valuable information. 



The total number of specimens in the department is now about 51,000; 

 of these, 18,000 are in the exhibition series, 12,000 are duplicates, and 

 9,500 are in the reserve series. The remainder consists of specimens, 

 as yet unclassified, which for the present are considered as reserve 

 material. 



One hundred and one accessions have been received during the year, 

 of which 72, containing 128 specimens, were transmitted for examina- 

 tion and report. Twelve special reports were made in answer to tech- 

 nical questions submitted by correspondents. 



In cataloguing the collection 1,413 entries have been made, covering 

 2,412 specimens ; and 1,444 catalogue cards have been written. 



Last entry* iu June, 1887 51314, 59424, 65384, 68584. 



Last entry* in June, 1888 51539,59464.66431,68685. 



As a preliminarj^ to the re arrangement of the geographical collection 

 of ores, the entries of material assigned to this department which were 

 scattered through several record volumes, in which both rock and min- 

 eral specimens were also entered, have been transferred to the record 

 books assigned to this department; 7,046 entries have thus been trans- 

 ferred. 



Twenty-nine boxes of duplicate and reserve material have been placed 

 in general storage, and six specimens were sent out in exchange. 



The clerical work of the department has been well performed by Mr. 

 W. H.Newhall, assisted during a portion of the year byMr.T. E. Turn- 

 bull. 



* The catalogue records are kept m four series of books. 



