Habitat Groups and Murals 91 



exhibits. In the North American section, Mr. Spier installed 

 a demonstration of results from inquiries into the antiquity of 

 man at Trenton, New Jersey. Further, a section showing the 

 prehistoric cultural characters of New England was completed. 

 In the prehistoric section of the Southwest Hall, Assistant 

 Curator Nelson installed an exhibit of Mimbres pottery from 

 New Mexico. The Jesup North Pacific Hall is nearing com- 

 pletion. One great improvement has been brought about by 

 concealing the ornate pillars supporting the ceiling behind 

 totem poles and similar architectural features of native art. 

 This more than any one change in the hall gives the final ethnic 

 touch to the whole exhibit. 



Another advance is in the arrangement of our study collec- 

 tions. A room on the storage gallery has been equipped for the 

 use of special students, college classes, and members of the 

 staff engaged in the intensive study of our collections. It has 

 also been necessary to give additional space on the office floor 

 to students of design and to the work of Mr. Crawford. 



A group representing the Apache Indians was formally opened 



in May. This was designed as a companion to the Hopi group. 



It depicts the life of the semi-nomadic peo- 



H !i bl A t ? t S roups P les of Southwestern United States in contrast 

 and Murals r . . 



to the more sedentary peoples of which the Hopi 

 are a type. The artists were Mr. Howard McCormick and Mr. 

 Mahonri M. Young. The painted background represents a sec- 

 tion of landscape on the San Carlos River near Rice, Arizona, 

 reproduced here from sketches made upon the ground. The 

 lighting system for the Hopi group was completely revised dur- 

 ing the year and some small alterations made in the accessory 

 construction. As now presented, the group is lighted as it 

 would appear in the afternoon sunshine. 



The plans for a Navajo group have been developed, in the 

 background for which typical cliff ruins will appear. The pre- 

 liminary construction is in place and it is contemplated that the 

 background will be completed during 1918. 



The murals for the Jesup North Pacific Coast Hall now 

 occupy the two side walls, and it is expected that during 1918, 

 the artist, Mr. Will S. Taylor, will begin on the large end 



