REPORT OF DEPARTMENT OF A\ii«»nii; 127 



Present stair of the coiia-Hon. 



\i Mi;i IB "i -v\a [MENS. 



Exhibition and study Beries 



Dnplicfl • exchanges) 



Total ! 



L< | B88IONS im RING I m. Yi \l: 188 1. 



Exhibition and > 1 1 1 < 1 > ieri< i 



Duplicates 1, 185 



Total 5, 141 



Recommendations and general remarks. 



In this year, as in preceding ones, I have endeavored to earn on the 

 dualistic system adopted in arranging the antiquities of this country. 



(1) There is a large collection (mostly exhibited in flat cases which 

 consists of relics of chipped and gronnd stone, of copper, bun.-, horn, 



Shell, clay, and, to a small extent, Of WOOd. These objects have been 

 grouped according to material, and then classed under such denomina- 

 tions as their forms suggested. Similarity of shape afforded the prin- 

 cipal guidance in arranging these specimens. This arrangement offers 

 to the intelligent visitor an opportunity to take in atone glance, as it 

 were, the whole culture of the prehistoric jSorth American, as far as it 

 can be represented by tangible tokens. To this general collection many 

 valuable specimens have been added this year. 



(2) There are special collections composed of Xorth American articles 

 found in one locality — a mound, grave, artificial shell-deposit, or district. 

 It will be my endeavor to increase the number of these special collec- 

 tions, in order to show the difference in the mechanical acquirements <.t 

 the people formerly inhabiting the various parts of this country. Six 

 of such collections have beeu put up in the course of this year — as stated 

 in section 2 of this report — most conspicuous among them being the 

 large and fine series of antiquities collected during Lieut. George M. 

 Wheeler's geographical survey west of the 100th meridian. 



The collections thus far mentioned are from portions of this continent 

 north of Mexico. There are, however, separately exhibited, valuable 

 archaeological collections from Mexico, Central America, South America, 

 Japan, &c, and a very good representative series of prehistoric antiqui- 

 ties from Europe. 



