Report of the President 55 



The reference file now numbers 43,311 negatives and 60,690 



photographs. Teachers, writers and other educators have 



been keen to avail themselves of this 



Reference Photographs source f reliable information on the 

 and Negatives ' 



latest results of research or exploration. 



The most important addition to the reference file during the 

 year has been the superb collection of negatives made by Mr. 

 Herbert Lang (at his own expense) on the Museum's Congo 

 Expedition and permanently deposited by him with the Mu- 

 seum. The collection numbers 9,500 negatives of the highest 

 quality and gives a remarkable record of the scope of the field 

 work of Messrs. Lang and Chapin. Another important addi- 

 tion to the deposit series of negatives consists of 1,300 nega- 

 tives taken by Miss Mary C. Dickerson in southern New Eng- 

 land. These negatives include intimate field studies of mam- 

 mals, birds, batrachians, flowers and trees, and scenic views of 

 distinct biological and educational value. 



The rapid development of motion pictures has brought into 



the educational field another important method of imparting 



instruction to children and adults. It is the 



Library of a j m therefore, of the Museum's Department 



Motion Pictures r 



of Public Education to have in its possession 



a set of the finest motion picture films of educational value that 

 can be secured. 



The films depicting African life presented by Mr. Paul J. 

 Rainey and Mr. James Barnes, and Mr. M. P. Skinner's film 

 of Yellowstone Park, Wyoming, formed a splendid nucleus 

 for the library. During the year 1916, 530 feet of film of birds 

 and animals, taken by Mr. David S. Ball, and 1,200 feet pictur- 

 ing the life and customs of the Indians of the Southwest, taken 

 by Dr. Pliny E. Goddard, were added to the collection. 

 Through the generosity of Mr. R. Fulton Cutting, the depart- 

 ment has secured a set of four reels of the film of "Hiawatha" 

 produced by Mr. F. E. Moore— a most valuable addition to 

 our series. 



The rapid growth of the department has necessitated a 

 greater systematization of the work. As usual, the principal 



