Audubon County Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Audubon Co., Iowa) 1885-1894, 1891-04-16
A BIG CURIOSITY SHOP.
LARGEST OF ITS KIND IN THE
WORLD,
Some Of the Things Seen In the smithson-
ian Institute In Warrington
America Is Proud OF It-A
National Museum.

Probably no building or institution
on tho American continents resembles
the Smithonian in architecture or, in
fact in any other way,
The main exhibition hall on the
ground floor Is almost entirely devoted
TO the display OF u valuable collection
of stuffed birds containing more than
60, 900 specimens These are we'll
mounted and arranged In accurate
scientific order in upright cases under
the galleries, forming charming little
grottocs in which the visitor may spend
many happy hours studying tho great
variety OF forms and characteristics of
the avifauna OF all tho lands Of the
globe II tho visitor Is astonished by
the thousands of specimens ON exhibit
ton, he would be still moro surprised
TO SEQ the much larger quantity of UNI
mounted, duplicate skins which ARE
stored away in tho basement, Thcso
are preserved Tor the purpose Of study
and for exchange with other institutions
aud individuals for others which tho
Smithsonian has few or none Tho
ornithological department il one of tho
largest In the establishment.
The largest of the halls Is in tho
second story. II contains the finest
archaeological collection Of American
specimens In tho world. In IL are TO
DO seen thousands OF Indian arrow
heads and spcar-heads OF all sizes,
shapes, and characters. There aro
many relies from tho enduring works
OF the mound-builders; there are some
from the Iunis OF Mexico and tho
A2tecs OF Peru, and others from all
parts Of the globe.
After twenty-five years Of collecting
by the Smithsonian institute Il became
evident that the building was not largo
enough 10 contain its specimens and
those remaining from tho Centennial
exposition ut Philadelphia which the
several governments presented to the
United States. II was therefore agreed
by congress TO build an annex 10 the
Smithsonian, In which all these vnlu-
able collections could be put on oxhi-
bition, studied and taken care OF by
competent scientists.
museum, was built In 1873, aud il gov
ornod by the same laws and rules and
the same corps Of officers as Is the older
institution, but IL supported by annual
appropriations made by congress
amounting to about 5000, 900, while
the other " provided for out Of the
funds acoshsg from tho Smithson bo-
quest.
Ono OF the halls Is used for lecture
room, and every winter series OF free
lectures upon scientific and instructive
subjects is delivered by well-known
specialists and travellers. These are
often illustrated with stereopticon
views, prepared by the government
photographers, who has n large gallery
in the building, and draw large and
appreciativo audiences Entrance 10
the museum and all the lectures given
in IL are free, and anybody and every
body may enjoy the advantages as of
ten and as long ~ they desire.
Tho cnst and west halls are used by
the chronological department, and In
them ure shown all kinds OF specimens
Of tho industrial arts and of the pas-
times Of the different peoples of tho
globe. No short description can com
prohend even the moro interesting OF
the groups. II would require several
even 10 see nll the numerous articles
on exhibition. The scientific arrange
ment and grouping Of the specimens
show that much thought and care have
been expended upon them. The object
Of the method il 10 show the develop
ment OF certain arts and industries
from their earliest 20 their latest or
present state. For example, take the
fire making art. First In the row
would come two light-wood sticks such
ms were used by the aborigincs of this
country for the production Of fire,
Following these would come the flint
and steel Of our forefatbers; the burn
ing-glass might be noxt then the first
crude matches OF the early part Of this
century. These would be followed in
successive order by Improved matches
until the cheap and handy one Of to-day
was reached. Next 10 these would be
placed the percussion cap; but last and
best, highest achievement OF the tre-
making art up to the present day would
be shown the electric battery or dyna-
mo. All the different subjects are
treated In the same manner as much
as possible In order 10 teach tho best
practical object lesson TO tho student.