30 REPORT OF THE SECRETARY. 



Mrs. J. Crosby Brown, New York City, contributed a collection of ethnological 

 objects from the western coast of Africa; Dr. W. L. Abbott transmitted some very 

 valuable ethnological specimens from Lower Siam, and Dr. D. W. Snyder sent 

 material of a similar character from the Kongo region. 



A collection of engraved diplomas, inscriptions, etc., was presented to the Museum 

 by Messrs. Tiffany & Co., New York City. From Mr. Yang Yii, Chinese minister in 

 Washington, a large blue porcelain vase, a bronze urn, and a string of beads were 

 received. 



Prof. D. P. Todd forwarded from Amherst College two frames of photographs illus- 

 tratino- the work of the Amherst Eclipse Expedition to Japan in 1885. Miss M. A. 

 Henry, Washington, D. C, transmitted specimens of electrical aiiparatus, and a 

 number of diplomas and medals presented to her father. Prof. Joseph Henry. 



The scientijic and administraiire staff. — On September 6, 1896, by the untimely and 

 unexpected death of Dr. G. Brown Goode, the Museum was deprived of its imme- 

 diate head. It was not feasible to till at once and permanently the vacancy thus 

 most unfortunately occurring, and on January 27, 1897, 1 had the honor to receive 

 the temporary appointment of acting assistant secretary of the Smithsonian Insti- 

 tution, in charge of the Museum. 



Mr. W. C. Winlock, who, in addition to his special work as curator of the Smith- 

 sonian Bureau of International Exchanges and aid in charge of the office of the 

 Institution, held the honorary position of curator of physical apparatus in the 

 National Museum, died on September 20, 1896. Maj. Charles Bendire, United States 

 Army, honorary curator of the department of birds' eggs, died on February 4, 1897. 



Mr. M. L. Linell, aid in the department of insects, died on May 3, 1897. 



Dr. L. T. Chamberlain, of New York City, was, on January 11, 1897, appointed 

 honorary custodian of the collection of gems and precious stones. Mr. J. N. Rose, 

 Mr. C. L. Pollard, and Prof. O. F. Cook, have been appointed assistant curators in 

 the department of botany. Mr. J. L. Willige was designated acting cliicf clerk in 

 February, 1897, relieving Mr. W. V. Cox, who was appointed special agent in charge of 

 the exhibit of the Smithsonian Institution at the Tennessee Centennial Exposition. 

 Mr. Henry Horan, who, since 1880, had filled the position of superintendent of 

 buildings, died on September 29, 1896. Mr. Horan first became connected with the 

 Smithsonian Institution in 1857. Mr. J. E. Watkins, curator of the technological 

 collections, was placed in charge of the new division of buildings and superintend- 

 ence, retaining, in addition, the curatorship of the technological collections. 



Distribution of specimens. — More than 26,000 specimens have been distributed dur- 

 ing the year, including gifts to institutions, exchanges, and specimens sent for 

 study. About one-half of the entire number consisted of hex-barium specimens, and 

 of the remainder more than 3,700 were marine invertebrates, and about 2,400 geo- 

 logical specimens. 



Visitors. — The number of visitors to the Museum building during the year was 

 229,606, and to the Smithsonian biiilding 115,709, making a total of 345,315. It 

 should be remarked that in the total for this year is included the increase in the 

 number of visitors occasioned in March by the inaugural ceremonies of President 

 McKinley. 



Specimens received for determination. — Tlie number of lots of material received for 

 determination continues to increase. During the fiscal year just closed there were 

 716 accessions of this character, 174 more than during the preceding year. The 

 labor involved in the identification of this material consumes a large share of the 

 time of several of the curators, especially in the departments of birds, insects, 

 mollusks, and geology, for which the Museum receives very little in return. It is 

 believed, however, that an important field of usefulness is found in this direction. 



Tennessee Centennial Exposition. — The sum of $30,000 was appropriated by Congress 

 for the erection of a building for the Government exhibit at the Tennessee Centen- 

 jiial Exposition, and the sum of $100,000 for the exhibit proper and for other inci- 



