52 Report of the President 



The reference series of negatives and photographs has re- 

 ceived additions of 3,254 negatives and 3,128 photographs, the 

 total reference file now numbering 46,565 negatives and 63,818 

 photographs. 



The photographic department has made 1,547 negatives, 

 3,526 lantern slides and 13,623 prints. 



While the regular Museum extension to the schools has been 

 maintained at its previous high standard, the department has 

 made a direct contribution to war work. 



Appeals for help in the way of entertainment for soldiers 

 have come to the Museum from the War Council 



w M w C 'k^' °^ ^ e ^' ^' ^' ^" anc * tnree wa y s nave Deen en- 

 veloped in which the Museum is able to render 



practical assistance. 



The department possessed several thousand uncatalogued 



lantern slides. Largely through the volunteer assistance of 



members of the department, these slides have been carefully 



sorted, and more than 4,000 from which lectures may be made 



have been presented to the Y. M. C. A. 



The second method of assistance consists in preparing spe- 

 cial lectures particularly designed to interest soldiers and sail- 

 ors. These are called "Exploration Tales for Soldiers and 

 Sailors." Their purpose is set forth in the following foreword 

 which accompanies each lecture : 



"The expeditions sent by The American Museum of Natural 

 History to the remote parts of the earth not only have brought 

 together wonderful natural history collections, but are filled 

 with adventures that stir the blood. We believe that the tales 

 of these experiences will appeal to the soldiers and sailors, 

 since the successful explorer must possess in marked degree the 

 qualities which make good fighting men. These stories are told 

 by the explorers themselves with the hope that they will enter- 

 tain, amuse and rest the boys in training and those at the front." 



Each tale is fully illustrated with colored lantern slides, and 

 the text which accompanies it is dictated, by the explorer him- 

 self in the language which he would use in addressing the men 

 in person. Already two of these recreational lectures have been 



