14 REPORT ON NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1885. 



and sent to the New Orleans Exposition, in addition to about 37,000 

 pounds previously sent to Cincinnati and Louisville. It is no less cer- 

 tain, however, that by the close of the year the exhibition series will be 

 much more attractive thau it has ever been. Especial attention will be 

 paid to the development (i) of the section of historical relics in the De- 

 partment of Arts and Industries; (ii) of the basketry exhibit in connec- 

 tion with the Department of Ethnology; (iii) of the osteological ex- 

 hibit, closely affiliated with the Department of Mammals ; and (iv) of the 

 display of textiles. Before the end of the year the celebrated collection 

 of Mexican casts belonging to Seiior Eufemio Abadiano will be open to 

 the public, in the south east range. This collection has been temporarily 

 deposited in the National Museum. A list of the casts is given in Part 

 IV, under Ace. 16185. 



(c) Construction of cases. 



In the report for 1884* a full account was given of the number and 

 styles of cases made and delivered in the Museum during the year. 

 The main features of the plan of installation were discussed, and it was 

 intended to present in this report a complete description, with illustra- 

 tions, of the various methods of installation which have been adopted. 

 I regret to say that the special work in connection with the preparation 

 of the exhibit for the New Orleans Exposition has rendered it necessary 

 to defer the completion of this matter until the next report (July 1, 

 1885 - July 1, 1886). No cases were received during the first six months 

 of 1885, nor were any new styles of construction adopted, although sev- 

 eral plans have been under consideration. 



(d) Labels and printing. 



During the six months ending June 30, 1885, very material progress 

 was made in the preparation and printing of descriptive labels for the 

 exhibition series and for the reserve and duplicate collections. Early 

 in the year copy for about 3,000 forms of labels was sent to the Public 

 Printer through the Interior Department. Most of them were for the 

 Materia Medica and Metallurgical Departments of the Museum. There 

 are still great numbers of unlabeled objects in most of the departments; 

 for many of them, however, labels have been written and are ready for 

 printing. 



The Museum printing-press has been in use constantly during the 

 year, in charge of one of the clerks, who has been engaged in printing 

 miscellaneous circulars and blanks required for immediate use, which 

 could not be sent out without delay and consequent detriment to the 

 service, as well as certain special and temporary labels. 



* Pages 25-28. 



