REPORT OF THE SECRETARY. 23 



Although the Museum is without funds for carrying on extended 

 biological explorations, yet through the generosity of friends it' has 

 been greatly enriched by the results of field work in various parts of 

 the world, particularly the work of Dr. W. L. Abbott so often men- 

 tioned heretofore. A large and fine collection of reptiles and 

 batrachians came as a bequest by the late Julius Hurter, sr., of St. 

 Louis. 



To the botanical collections were added about 25,000 specimens and 

 the remnant of the botanical library saved from the flood which so 

 nearly destroyed the Vanderbilt Herbarium at Biltmore, N. C, in 

 July, 1916. These objects were presented by Mrs. Vanderbilt. Prof. 

 O. F. Cook gave to the Museum about' 15,000 specimens of crypto- 

 gams gathered in the United States and Liberia. 



In geological material, likewise, and in the department of textiles, 

 mineral technology, and other divisions of the Museum, there were 

 important additions described by the assistant secretary. 



The attendance of visitors to the Natural History building ag- 

 gregated about 400,000 and the Arts and Industries building about 

 250,000. 



In calling attention to the present needs of the Museum, I may 

 mention the fact that on account of the great growth of the collec- 

 tions during the last few years there is already presented a lack of 

 exhibition and storage facilities in some of the departments, par- 

 ticularly in connection with the applied arts, the fine arts, and Ameri- 

 can history. It is exceedingly gratifying that the accessions should 

 increase in such great proportions from year to year, but it is like- 

 wise important that there be a corresponding increase in the number 

 of the scientific staff and other employees necessary for the proper 

 care and study of this mass of material made up in great measure 

 through gifts by the people of the Nation. ^ 



BUREAU OF AMERICAN ETHNOLOGY. 



The Bureau of American Ethnolog}^, which conducts ethnological 

 researches among the American Indians and the natives of Hawaii, 

 is under the direction of Mr. F. W. Hodge, whose report is given in 

 Appendix 2. 



Among the important researches of the year was the excavation 

 and study of Hawikuh, a large reservation on the Zuni Reserva- 

 tion in western New Mexico. This work was carried on by Mr. 

 Hodge in cooperation with the Museum of the American Indian, 

 Heye Foundation, of New York City. The purpose of the excava- 

 tion of Hawikuh was to study a Zuhi pueblo, known to have been 

 inhabited from prehistoric times well into the historic period, to de- 

 termine as far as possible the character and arts of the Zuni people 



