REPORT OF THE SECRETARY. 39 



The system of appropriation for specific objects, without designating 

 the number of employes or the amounts of their salaries, has in the 

 past been found to be economical and efficient, and although the neces- 

 sity of the change to a classified service may arise at some later time, 

 I trust that it may be deferred for the present. 



The amount asked for in the estimates for the fiscal year of 1891-'92* 

 for the " preservation of collections," is intended to provide for a certain 

 amount of increase of the collections, and also to provide for the pay- 

 ment of certain salaries. 



Increase of the collections. — At the close of the fiscal year (June 30, 

 1889) a very careful estimate showed that the collections were sixteen 

 times as great in number of specimens as in the year 1882. I desire to 

 call your attention especially to the statements bearing upon this point. 



The Museum, as I have already said, is growing as it is fitting that 

 the National Museum of a great country should grow, and it is not only 

 necessary to care for what is already here, but to provide for the recep- 

 tion and display of the great collections which will unquestionably be 

 received in the immediate future. 



The extent and character of the accessions during the year is shown 

 in the appended table, from which it appears that the total number of 

 specimens in the Museum is now not far from 3,000,000 : 



