116" REPORT ON NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1886. 



various operations of spinning, preparing loom and warp, and weaving, 

 were taken, and are used to illustrate the methods of work among the 

 Zunis. 



The study series of fibers includes authentically named specimens in- 

 tended for microscopical examination. Appended to this report is a spe- 

 cial article on preparing microscopical mounts of vegetable textile fibers. 

 The study series is valuable, indeed, absolutely necessary, as it is not 

 unfrequently required to use small portions of fibers for comparison 

 with others for identification. Occasionally requests tor typical speci- 

 mens of fibers are received, which have been supplied from the study 

 series. It is expected that specimens will be sent to the Museum for 

 identification from time to time. The study series will afford a means 

 of identification probably better than can be elsewhere found. It is not, 

 however, by any means complete. Every distinct fiber in the textiles 

 collection is represented in this series, but not every fiber in use is so 

 represented. 



An alphabetical catalogue of objects in the study series is kept on cards 

 in the office of the curator and a list has been prepared and is published 

 as an appendix to this report. 



When small specimens of textiles are received that seem to possess 

 a scientific rather than popular interest, or which are for some reason 

 not suitable for exhibition, they are placed in this series. 



The reserve series includes specimens of value for purposes of ex- 

 hibition, which can not be immediately mounted. When such speci- 

 mens have been catalogued they are marked u reserve," and placed in 

 drawers in numerical order, and the fact is noted on the catalogue card. 

 If a portion is desired in the study series it is selected at the time and so 

 indicated on the catalogue card. 



The duplicate series includes those specimens available for ex- 

 changes. These are stored in drawers or in storage boxes. A special 

 series of cards, numerically arranged, gives a list of the specimens in 

 this series and indicates their location. The specimens in general stor- 

 age, however, are enumerated on special storage catalogue cards, bear- 

 ing the storage number of the boxes and a list of their contents, so that 

 any specimen can be obtained without; delay. 



An alphabetical list, arranged by both common and botanical names, 

 of all the specimens in the collection, including all in the four series 

 enumerated above, has been prepared, and will some day be submitted 

 for publication. 



The arranging of the textiles collection in accordance with the plan 

 outlined above has been perfected, and its advantages are apparent in 

 the ease with which new material can be handled. Immediately a new 

 specimen is received, the general alphabetical list shows whether it is 

 new to the collection or is from a new locality. Its value can be deter- 

 mined at once, and its place in one of the four series assigned to it. 

 Thus an accumulation of useless material for exhibition is avoided, and 

 the collections are maintained in good order. 



