THE SCIENCE DEPARTMENT. 



a 



Accessions. 



Archaeology. 



In this department the museum has been enriched by the gift of a 

 choice collection of 200 Indian baskets procured by Mr. Nathan D. Bill in 

 California. 



These baskets, some of which are over 100 years old and others com- 

 paratively modern, represent the work of twenty different tribes of the 

 western coast of America, including Alaska. 



Each tribe has its own peculiar patterns, and the specimens in design 

 and coloring show the true artistic sense of these primitive people. 



The collection includes water bottles made of coarse grasses or wicker 

 smeared with pitch to make them water tight, cooking baskets of a sur- 

 prisingly close weav«, and used previous to the introduction of pottery ; 

 carrying and storage baskets, many of which would hold a wheelbarrow 

 load, others for seed or grain sifting and grinding, and others apparently 

 made to show the skill of the weaver. 



As cases and labels are yet to be' made, this collection will not be on 

 exhibition until fall. 



Geology. 



Mr. Bill has also given a series of photographs, together with speci- 

 mens of lava material and a relief map — the whole illustrating the great 

 volcanic eruptions of Mont Pel6, on the Island of Martinique, in May and 

 August, 1902. This department has also received specimens of silicified 

 wood from Mr. William Arms, fossils from Mr. J. T. Bowne, and silurian 

 fossils from Mr. G. VV. Holden. Other accessions are noted in the 

 appendix. 



Botany. 



Mr. Luman Andrews of Southington, Conn., has given a well-mounted 

 collection of 652 herbarium specimens. The total number given by him 

 is now 2,265. Through the kindness of Mr. Andrews the museum has 

 been able to display a loan exhibition of water- colors of wild and culti- 

 vated flowers done by Mrs. Andrews with great fidelity to form and color. 

 Mr. John Reed of this city has presented a collection of 124 Philippine 

 woods. Mr. George S. Lewis, Jr., continues to take a helpful interest in 

 this department, and has made many valuable additions in specimens and 

 photographs. 



