47 
and topography than had previously been recognized. He strengthened 
most of these divisions, especially anthropology and biology, by securing 
specialists of various kinds from museums and other institutions in United 
States. He reorganized the publications of the Survey, creating a new 
series of Museum Bulletins for the scientific contributions relating parti- 
cularly to natural history. 
Through various causes, however, the progress of the Museum was 
not accelerated as much as had been expected. Closer specialization of 
Survey officers in the various branches of natural science demanded by the 
industrialization of the country and rapid growth of its mineral industry 
was, no doubt, a contributory cause, individuals being more absorbed in 
their particular branches of investigation and less able and less inclined to 
collect natural history material of all kinds, than their predecessors in the 
time of Logan, Selwyn, and Dawson. However, the present revival of 
interest in museum work seems to indicate that this was not an important 
factor in the decadence of interest. Probably a much more serious cause 
lay in the addition to the staff of the Survey of a considerable number of 
specialists in biology, anthropology, and palaeontology, secured from other 
institutions, who, besides having little need for scientific intercourse with 
the main body of geologists, mineralogists, and others, had little or no 
knowledge of the traditions and customs of the Geological Survey. The 
personnel of the Geological Survey has always shown great pride in the 
achievements of the institution and some consequent spirit of exclusiveness. 
To these intangible causes were added three events more definitely retard- 
ing. In 1914 Mr. Brock resigned to accept charge of the Department of 
Science in the University of British Columbia, and the Survey was deprived 
of his energetic and constructive leadership. On February 3, 1916, the 
Parliament buildings were burned and the Victoria Memorial Museum was 
found to be the most suitable building in the city for temporarily housing 
members of Parliament and Senators. All except the exhibits and offices 
of the section of anthropology, the library, and certain occupants of the 
basement were removed to temporary quarters in various parts of the city. 
They remained so scattered until May, 1920, when the new Parliament 
buildings were reoccupied and the Museum building had been refitted for 
its original occupants. Museum work suffered much more from this dislo- 
cation than did the investigative work of the Survey. During the same 
time museum work was reduced almost to a standstill because it was not 
essential for the conduct of the war. 
1920— PRESENT 
At the beginning of 1920 the Museum was probably more disorganized 
than at any other time in its existence; but it was on the threshold of 
conditions as favourable for recovery as it had ever previously enjoyed. 
A business depression resultant from the war rested upon the country and 
the Government was compelled to exercise rigid economy; but this depres- 
sion began to lift in 1921. Accommodation was obtained in the Victoria 
Memorial Museum for all but the division of mineralogy, which was forced, 
through lack of space, to remain in temporary quarters at 227 Sparks 
street. The space available for exhibition of museum material was small, 
but this was offset by the advantages of being under a single roof. 
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