142 REPORT ON NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1885. 



think, be readily comprehended when I state that, aside from the mate- 

 rial withdrawn to be sent to New Orleans, the entire building-stone col- 

 lection is undergoing a thorough overhauling to sift out duplicate ma- 

 terial for the American Museum in New York. After the return of the 

 New Orleans material and the completion of the New York collection I 

 hope to be able to give figures that shall be approximately correct * 



RECOMMENDATIONS AND REMARKS. 



In the way of recommendations and remarks I can add but little to 

 what was said in my report for 1884. The condition of the collections 

 is now such that it seems useless to rely upon donations from either 

 private individuals or the many public expositions lor material neces- 

 sary to fill out the numerous gaps in various systematic series. While 

 it is true that we obtain a great deal of valuable material in this way, 

 still it will be readily understood by all engaged in the building up of 

 systematic collections how much absolutely indispensable material is 

 never received from these sources and can be obtained only by purchase 

 or by collection of especially interested parties. The curator knowing 

 precisely what is needed can doubtless procure the same in better con- 

 dition and at less cost than others whose knowledge of what is wanted 

 is less definite, or whose interest is merely a pecuniary one. If a cer- 

 tain small sum of money could be set aside annually to be utilized by 

 the curator in collecting or having collected certain specific material, 

 this difficulty could be largely doue away with. 



A portable photographic camera and accessories could be utilized to 

 excellent advantage in procuring illustrations of geological phenomena 

 of such a nature as cannot be illustrated by means of specimens. To 

 rely on local artists has proven unsatisfactory both in the matter of ex- 

 pense and quality of work. I therefore venture to suggest that such 

 an outfit be obtained for the use of this department. Our present great 

 need is more cases for exhibition purposes. 



*In my report for 1884 the total number of specimens was estimated at eighteen 

 thousand, of which three thousand were duplicates, and three thousand were then on 

 exhibition. With the exception of the duplicate collection, which has been exten- 

 sively drawn on to obtain material for New York, these figures will doubtless be found 

 considerably increased when a count is actually made. 



