42 EEPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1925 



of the Museum are of microscopic size necessitating a technique in 

 manipulation which requires much time and skill. 



The proper identification, naming and classifying of these speci- 

 mens can be done only by highly trained specialists whose lives are 

 devoted to study of restricted branches of zoological or botanical 

 science. The field is so vast, the number of forms often so stupend- 

 ous ( as for instance in entomology where the species are estimated to 

 run into millions) that in many branches the scientific investigator is 

 compelled to devote all liis time to one special group if he is to 

 accomplish fundamental work upon which other workers may rely 

 in the practical solution of their multifarious problems in sanitation, 

 agriculture, and other economic activities. 



Wliile it is true that the specialist who has devoted years to his 

 subject can often identify and name specimens of common species at 

 sight, it is more often the case that he must turn to the microscope 

 and the literature, before he can be sure. Very often elaborate dis- 

 sections have to be made. Many animals are so much alike exter- 

 nally, that the most searching examination of their internal anatomy 

 or even the structure of their tissues, must be resorted to for a de- 

 termination of their specific characters. Nor is search of the truly 

 overwhelming literature for clews to identify an easy task in spite 

 of the immense library facilities in Washington. Often the libraries 

 of Congress, the Smithsonian Institution, the Department of Agri- 

 culture, or the Surgeon General's library, fail to produce the neces- 

 sary book or scientific journal. Moreover, information may be 

 available only in some little known foreign language. As a conse- 

 quence specialists must be linguists of no m-ean ability. In addition 

 an extensive and detailed knowledge of the geography of the coun- 

 tries whence come the specimens is indispensable: The field of the 

 National Museum is the whole world, biological problems are world 

 wide, and their solution can only be successfully attempted if 

 approached in the light of world knowledge. . 



It is regrettable to have to confess that because of insufficient per- 

 sonnel it is impossible to do full justice to all claims upon the serv- 

 ice of this department. There are entire groups of animals and 

 plants as the spiders, myriopods, worms, sponges and most of the 

 cryptogamous plants in which the Museum has no specialists, while 

 in others the material is so great that a single worker can not cover 

 the whole field. Further assistants are needed to relieve trained 

 men of routine burdens and that younger men may be developed to 

 carry on the work of the Museum in later years. Aid in these di- 

 rections is urgently required. 



