Field  Columbian  Museum — Reports,  Vol.  i. 
an  entirely  new  roof-drainage  system,  removing  the  ornamentation 
on  the  exterior  of  the  Building,  securing  in  place  such  plaster  acces- 
sories as  seemed  in  danger  of  displacement,  and  re-plastering  and 
patching  the  exterior,  closing  the  unused  entrances  with  iron  railing, 
cleaning  and  repainting  all  of  the  structural  iron  work  of  the  Building 
and  putting  iron  guards  at  all  of  the  windows.    With  the  exception 
of  the  tinning  and  the  plastering,  the  work  was  performed  by  con- 
tract, within  an  appropriation  of  $15,000.     The  Building  is  as  nearly 
perfect  in  condition  now,  as  it  appears  possible  to  make  it,  and 
while  the  plaster  work  will  be  a  continual  source  of  annoyance  and 
expense,  yet  it  can  be  cared  for  with  the  force  at  the  disposal  of  the 
Museum  unless  during  the  coming  winter  there  is  such  displacement 
as  to  require  additional  labor.     This  can  only  be  determined  by  the 
results  as  they  transpire.     It  is  estimated  that  unless  something 
unforseen  arises,  the  Building  can  be  maintained  in  its  present  physi- 
cal condition  for  five  years  with  the  regular  force  of  the  Museum,  and 
•  possibly  the  expenditure  of  $3,000  per  annum.     Improvements  in  the 
steam  heating  plant  have  been  extensive.     An  independent  line  of 
steam  pipe  has  been  constructed  to  the  East  Annex  that  will  enable 
heat  to  be  forced  into  the  extreme  East  end  of  the  Building,  without 
the  necessity  of  adding  to  the  temperature  of  the  system  of  the  main 
Building,  through  which  system  steam  has  been  heretofore  conveyed 
to  the  East  Annex.     Water  and  steam  pipes  have  also  been  laid  to 
the  new  workshop;    to  the  Division  of  Physical  Anthropology;  to 
Photography  and  other  parts  of  the  Building,  as  the  establishment  of 
new  offices,  laboratories  and  working  rooms  have  demanded.  The 
disadvantage  of  having  the  general  workshop  and  taxidermy  rooms 
of  the  Museum  located  in  the  warehouse  at  Fifty-Sixth  street  and 
Jefferson  avenue,  became  so  apparent,  that  by  consent  of  the  South 
Park  Commissioners,  an  independent  brick  building  accommodating 
workshops,  laboratory  and  taxidermic  rooms,  has  been  constructed 
to  the  North  of  the  East  Main  entrance  of  the  Building.     It  is  almost 
concealed  from  view,  and  at  the  same  time  gives  ample  room  for 
work,  and  its  proximity  to  the  Museum  itself  simplifies  and  system- 
atizes the  work.     A  special  vault  was  built  for  the  skin  vats  of  the 
taxidermists;  the  rooms  all  have  sky-lights,  and  are  fire-proof.  The 
location  of  the  carpenter  shop  and  paint  shop  in  this  addition  will 
enable  workmen  to  take  small  jobs  to  the  shop  and  prevent  a  great  deal 
of  annoyance,  noise  and  litter  created  by  carrying  on  such  work  in  the 
Museum,  while  the  Curators  of  Zoology  or  Ornithology  are  in  quick 
communication  with  their  taxidermists.     During  the  past  year  a  local 
telephone  system  has  been  established  in  the  Building,  giving  prompt 
