Lewiston teller. [volume] (Lewiston, North Idaho) 1878-1900, 1891-04-30
A BIG CURIOSITY SHOP.
LARGEST OF ITS KIND IN THE
WORLD,
Some of the Things Seen in the Smithson-
ian Institute In Washington-
America Is Proud Of It-A
National Museum.

Probably no building or institution
on the 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 valuable collection
OF stuffed birds containing more than
60, 600 specimens. These are we'll
mounted and arranged in accurate
scientific order in upright cases under
the galleries. forming charming little
grottoes in which the visitor may spend
many happy hours studying the great
variety OF forms and characteristics of
the avifauna of all the lands of the
globe. If the visitor is astonished by
the thousands of specimens on exhibit
ton, he would be still more surprised
to see the much larger quantity of I'M
mounted duplicate skins which are
stored away in the basement. These
are preserved Tor the purpose OF study
and for exchange with other institutions
and individuals for others which the
Smithsonian has few or none. The
largest in the establishment.
The largest of the halls is in the
second story. 1t contains the finest
archaeological collection of American
specimens in the world. In it are to
be seen thousands of Indian arrow
heads and spear-heads of all sizes.
shapes, and characters. There are
many relics from the enduring works
OF the mound-builders; there are some
from the Zunis of Mexico and tho
Aztecs of Peru, and others from all
parts OF the globe.
After twenty-five years of collecting
by the Smithsonian institute it became
evident that the building was not large
enough to contain its specimens and
those remaining from the Centennial
exposition at Philadelphia which the
several governments presented to the
United States. 1t was therefore agreed
by congress to build an annex to the
Smithsonian, in which all these valu-
able collections could be put on exhi-
bition, studied. and taken care of by
competent scientists.
This annex, called the National
museum, was built in 1873. and is gov
erned by the same laws and rules and
the same corps Of officers as is the older
institution but is supported by annual
appropriations made by congress
amounting to about $780, 900, while
the other is provided for out OF the
funds accruing from the Smithson be-
quest.
One 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
photographer, who has large gallery
in the building, and draw large and
appreciative audiences. Entrance to
the museum and all the lectures given
in it are free, and anybody and every
body may enjoy the advantages as Of
ten and as long as they desire.
The east and west halls are used by
the chronological department. and in
them are shown all kinds of specimens
OF the industrial arts and of the pas
times of the different peoples of the
globe. No short description can COM
prehend even the more interesting OF
the groups. 1t would require several
even to see all 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 is to show the develop
ment of certain arts and industries
from their earliest to their latest or
present state. For example, take the
fire-making art. First in the row
would come two light-wood sticks such
rs We're used by the aborigines of this
country for the production of fire.
Following these would come the flint
and steel of our forefathers; the burn
ing-glass might be next, 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 to these would be
placed the percussion cap; but last and
best, highest achievement of the fire.
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 to teach the best
practical object lesson to the student.