io8 The American Geologist. August, v.m 
collections of rocks, minerals, soils, fossils and objects of nat- 
ural history, archaeology and ethnology, made by the Coast and 
Interior Survey, the Geological Survey, or other parties of the 
Government of the United States, when no longer ne'-'''v1 [o^ 
investigations in progress, shall be deposited in the National 
Museum." 
The amount of geological material brought together under 
these acts prior to 1876 was, though valuable, comparatively 
small and extremely varied. It consisted mainly of the collec- 
tion made by Prof. J. D. Dana and his associates during the 
Wilkes exploring expedition ; by the various geologists accom- 
panying the surveys for the Pacific railroads in 1854-5; the 
surveys west of the looth meridian under the direction of the 
engineer corps of the army, and the U. S. Geological Surveys, 
under direction of Dr. F. V. Hayden. There were also various 
miscellaneous collections made by surveys under the direction 
of the general land office. 
Prior to 1873 there were no paid assistants whose duty it 
was to look after the collections. Indeed, Prof. Henry's pol- 
icy at that time was directly against the utilization of Smith- 
sonian funds for museum purposes. Thus, in one of his re- 
ports, he writes that scientific service "can be obtained without 
charge" or paid "in proportion to the time of engagement."- 
The natural history collections, including the fossils, were, 
therefore, worked up by so-called collaborators, several of 
whom had offices, and some of them sleeping apartments in the 
Smithsonian building. Amongst the numerous collaborators 
mentioned are found such names as those of Conrad, Cope, 
Gabb, Leidy, Lesquereux, Meek and Newberry. 
The completion in 1880 of the present museum building 
aft'orded an opportunity for expansion and incidental reorgan- 
ization on a more practical basis. This found expression in 
the creation of numerous departments and the appointment of 
salaried officials to take charge of the various collections. 
With the appointment of Dr. Geo. W. Hawes to the posi- 
tion of curator of geology and mineralogy, and Dr. C. A. 
White to that of curator of invertebrate fossils, began the history 
of the geological department of the museum as an independent 
department. Dr. Hawes' connection with the museum was, 
however, too short for his division to become fully organized. 
