loo Field Columbian Museum — Reports, Vol. II. 



In the Department of Botany the work of installing the economic 

 collections in proper display cases for view by the public and study 

 by students and special workers has been diligently continued 

 throughout the year, an assistant having been employed with especial 

 view to forwarding this work. In installing the cases referred to 

 1 165 specimens have been added to the collections. The following 

 installations have been accomplished: 



GRAMINE^: 



Six and one-half cases illustrating Indian Corn. Its geographic 

 distribution (by specimens), its varieties, its history and mythology 

 (by specimens). Various forms of aboriginal and commercial foods, 

 the manufacture of whiskey. The use of pith as an obtunder and 

 obturator in warships, and various utilization of the husk. 



FAGAC^: 



One-half case illustrating the utilization of the beech in the 

 extraction of vinegar and alcohol. Two cases illustrating the growth, 

 character and utilization of the cork tree. 



MALVACE^: 



Three cases illustrating the utilization of cotton. The extraction 

 and use of the seed oil, the manufacture of celluloid, absorbent 

 cotton, thread and cloth, the stalk fiber and the root. 



THEACE^: 



One-half case of various teas. 



ILICINEiE: 



One-half case showing the utilization of Paraguay tea or mat^. 



RUBIACEiE: 



One case illustrating coffee. Its geography (by specimens), its 

 harvesting, its sophistication and substitution. 



ANACARDIACE^: 



One-half case showing the various products of the family: 

 Japanese lacquer, pistach nuts, marking nuts, wine, oils, waxes, 

 gums and fruits. 



LAURACE^: 



One-half case showing the various products of the family: 

 Camphor, cinnamon, cassia bark, sassafras, oils, fruits and gums. 



PALMES: 



Two and one-half cases illustrating the utilization of the coco- 

 nut palm, cordage, wood, utensils, matting, sugar, oil, confections, 



