Oct., 1905. 



Annual Report of the Director. 



359 



thus permitting ease in swinging and removal of the sash without 

 danger of marring. The cases are shelved, and the shelves are ad- 

 justable as to number and height by supports fitting into a series of 

 slots at either end. The sashes of the bays are 16 x 70 inches in 

 dimension. They are swung by hinges and locked by bar locks. In 

 order to prevent the entrance of dust all edges meeting with the frame- 

 work are tongued or grooved to fit corresponding grooves or tongues 

 in the framework, while felt stops are also provided along the grooves. 

 The floor cases are four feet square and four feet six inches high above 

 the base, which rests- on heavy turned legs two feet high. The bases 

 are constructed so as to be able to support if necessary a weight of 

 at least one ton. Step pyramids within the cases corresponding in 

 size to the sizes of the specimens afford means of installation. The 

 four floor cases are devoted to the exhibition of four meteorites. 

 These are: Brenham, fifteen individuals and sections weighing 980 

 pounds; Canon Diablo, twenty individuals and sections weighing 

 1,518 pounds; Long Island, one individual weighing 1,161 pounds; 

 and Toluca, twenty-four individuals and sections weighing 390 pounds. 

 The remaining specimens of the collection are installed in the wall 

 cases just described, being grouped under the three classes of iron, 

 iron-stone and stone meteorites, and arranged chronologically under 

 each group. Each specimen is mounted on a bevelled black 

 block of a corresponding size and has a label of black cardboard 

 printed with aluminum ink. The case interiors are also black. 

 Thus a uniform tone in the surroundings of the specimens is secured 

 which throws them into greater prominence and enables them to be 

 seen to better advantage. In the case-bays are exhibited chiefly 

 casts illustrating forms of individual meteorites. The total number 

 of meteoric falls now represented in the collection is 280, and the 

 total weight 5,060 pounds. The specimens of native silver. Hall 63, 

 which had been badly tarnished, were cleaned and placed in closed 

 glass jars, thus enabling them to be exhibited without further danger 

 of tarnish. Accessions to the mineral collection received during the 

 year have also been installed in this hall in their proper places. In 

 Hall 68, devoted to clays, sands and cements, a large number of 

 specimens has been added, the clay collection alone having been 

 increased to nearly three times its former size. This increase was 

 largely due to material obtained from the Louisiana Purchase 

 Exposition. The synoptic clays, as now exhibited, number 43 

 specimens, the potter's clays 60 specimens, the fire clays 54 speci- 

 mens, and the brick clays 147 specimens. These specimens are for 



