Jan., 1909. 



Annual Report of the Director. 



247 



ance rendering them highly attractive and educational to the public. 

 In the general systematic series, representing plant economics, the 

 following additional cases have been installed: one case illustrating 

 the Sedges including the Egyptian papyrus and its utilization in the 

 ancient manufacture of scrolls for writing the "books of the dead." 

 A case has been added to the Palms in which is represented a long 

 series illustrative of the double or Seychelles coconut, the largest tree 

 fruit known. The maize series has received the addition of a case 

 of further utilizations to the four cases already in the suite. In order 

 to avoid constant shifting of the cases to keep up the consecutiveness 

 of the systematic installation while occupying the illy adapted quarters 

 of the Department in the present rambling building, a second series 

 has been begun in the west galleries and transept. For this series 

 these galleries are now fully occupied by new cases placed in position 

 during the late Summer. The installation of these cases has proceeded 

 thus far as follows: One case devoted to utilized fossil plants exem- 

 plified by fossil woods, peat, and gums, with articles and fabrics made 

 from each. One case illustrating various utilizations of plants be- 

 longing to the Potato Family ; principally, in this case, tobacco from 

 various parts of the world; and another case comprising the plant 

 economics of the Trumpet Creeper family, which yields among other 

 products the highly valuable calabash (Crescentia Cujete). The in- 

 stallation of this entire section is anticipated to be finished by June 

 next. In addition to the installation work many of the previously 

 installed cases have been fully and descriptively labeled and "copy" 

 has been written for all cases so far installed. 



During the year the exhibition collection of mounted mammals 

 has been rearranged and seven new cases added. Eleven new spec- 

 imens of mammals have been mounted by Mr. Freisser which have 

 been installed in Hall 20. Among these were a fine male gorilla, a 

 chimpanzee, and a jaguar. Several other specimens of the larger 

 mammalia are being mounted, including wolves and bears, and these 

 will be added to the exhibition collection at an early date. Two 

 new groups of mammals, one of woodchucks and one of muskrats, 

 have been completed by Mr. Pray. For the exhibition collection of 

 birds 40 specimens have been mounted and installed, and a case 

 illustrating albinism in animals, which includes a number of birds, has 

 been placed on exhibition. The collection of Illinois birds contained in 

 Hall 27 is practically completed, several nests having been added 

 during the past year as well as descriptive labels in addition to those 



