24 ANNUAL REPORT SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION, 1909. 



additions to the division of ethnology was a contribution from Dr. 

 W. L. Abbott, consisting of about 500 objects from southwestern 

 Borneo. I may also mention a number of Chinese velvets and em- 

 broideries of the Chien-lung period (1736-1795), presented by the 

 Baroness von Sternberg as a memorial to her husband, the late Baron 

 Speck von Sternberg, German ambassador to the United States. To 

 the technological collections were added more than 200 objects trans- 

 ferred from the United States Patent Office. These included a num- 

 ber of rifles, muskets, revolvers, and pistols, making the firearms ex- 

 hibit in the National Museum one of the finest in the country. Many 

 other objects of interest are enumerated by the assistant secretary in 

 his detailed report. The department of biology received a noteworthy 

 gift of about 1,200 European mammals and 61 reptiles from Mr. Old- 

 field Thomas, of the British Museum, and Mr. Gerrit S. Miller, of 

 this Museum. This has so greatly increased the importance of the 

 National Museum collection of the mammals of Europe that it now 

 ranks as one of the largest and most valuable in the world. I may 

 also mention a contribution of about a thousand mammals and birds 

 of Borneo, received from Dr. W. L. Abbott. 



In connection with the work of excavation and repair of the Casa 

 Grande ruins in Arizona, under the direction of the Smithsonian 

 Institution, as authorized by act of Congress approved March 4, 

 1907, there were collected and placed in the National Museum about 

 650 stone axes and hammers, rubbing and grinding stones, earthen- 

 ware bowls and vases, pieces of basketry and textile fabrics, shell 

 ornaments, and wooden implements. From similar excavations in 

 the Mesa Verde National Park, Colorado, there were received about 

 500 objects of like character. The department of geology received 

 a large series of Cambrian fossils from the Rocky Mountains, col- 

 lected during my field studies in that region. There were also added 

 to the collections many interesting objects pertaining to mineralogy 

 and paleobotany. Eighty-two regular sets of geological specimens 

 to the number of 7,739 were distributed during the year for educa- 

 tional purposes, besides 1,300 specimens of geology, marine inverte- 

 brates, and fishes arranged in special sets. 



In my last report mention was made of a loan collection of laces, 

 embroideries, rare porcelains, enamels, jewelry, and other artistic ob- 

 jects, temporarily installed in the hall occupied by the gallery of art. 

 This collection was brought together by Mrs. James W. Pinchot with 

 the assistance of a committee of ladies of Washington. The extent 

 of the collection is limited on account of present lack of space. The 

 lace exhibit is specially noteworthy in variety and value. It is ex- 

 pected that this temporary collection will lead to a permanent exhibit 

 of art objects that may help to elevate the standard of American art 

 workmanship. 



