REPORT OF THE SECRETARY. 25 



search in connection with the work of chis.-iHcation, and students 

 from kindred institution^ frecpiently visit Washin<^ton or linve col- 

 lections sent lo thcin Tor i n vest i<ji:at ion. 



l)riplicate material is used, when not actualh' needed for study, 

 for the purpose of exchange with other museums, and to a limited 

 extent, by authority given by Congress to the Regents of the Institu- 

 tion, for distril)ution among American schools. F'ourteen thousand 

 specimens were distributed during the past year to schools and 

 colleges throughout the land for the general purpose of promoting 

 education. 



The present crowded condition of the building has rendered it 

 difficult to place any more collections there, and such as come in from 

 one source or another are in the main temporarily stored in rented 

 buildings. While it has been found impossible to increase the 

 amount of material on exhibition, the standard of the objects ex- 

 hibited is being constantly improved, and the methods of installation 

 represent the most modern practice in this regard. 



In the division of ethnology a place has been made for a Malaysian 

 collection contributed by Dr. W. L. Abbott and an interesting Philip- 

 pine exhibit gathered by Dr. E. A. Mearns. Over the hall of 

 mannnals has been hung the cast, of a great sulphur-bottom whale, 

 about SO feet in length. Another noteworthy addition during the 

 past year is tlie reconstructed skeleton of a gigantic Triceratops, meas- 

 uring almost 20 feet. 



During the course of the year seme 235.000 persons, an average of 

 753 visitors a day, have viewed these collections. This number would 

 unquestionably be gi'eatly increased should it become feasible to open 

 the bu'ilding at night or on Sundays. 



Work on the new building, for the continuation of which Congress 

 };t its last session appropriated $1,500,000, is progressing satisfac- 

 torily. The excavation Avas completed and the heavy concrete founda- 

 tion laid last autumn. The erection of the outer walls of granite is 

 now well under way. 



The completion of this structure will, it is hoped, mark the begin- 

 ning of a new era in the activities of the National Museum. No 

 longer cramped for space, it can suitably care for the splendid col- 

 lections intrusted to its care; by exhibiting these, and by labels, pub- 

 lications, and lectures, it will still further endeavor to impart definite 

 instruction along definite lines to all Avho care to learn. Then, as 

 now. the first great lesson it will try to enforce is that a museum is 

 in nowise a cabinet of curios to while away an idle moment, but an 

 active instrument for the diffusion of knowledce amone: men. 



