Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1894-03-25

| Steamer AlbatrOss," which contained de
scriptons of new genera and species from
the west coast OF North America ana the
Sandwich Islands" 4 second pamphlet
of last years date contained "Descrip-
tons of New Species of American Fresh
Water Grabs"
This seems a queer subject TO engage
the serious attention OF a young woman.
yet the curators OF the Smithsonian In
stitute and the National Museum speak
Of the work Miss Rathbun has done and
is still doing with great respect. and
hold the opinion that no woman in the
employ Of the government is doing more
, thorough scientific work.
The author of these pamphlets Is a
very retiring young woman. and is happy
in her work she has "a faculty Of seeing
the popular side Of "A branchyuran crus-
tacean as well as the scientific aspect.
No matter how undressing the techni-
cal descriptions Of crabs may appear,
every woman who has ever tried TO tell
her children about even the common
crabs that are found on our shores has
discovered that there is hardly one but
has most interesting habits and stories
connected with il. Miss Rathbun knows
these as well as the more important sides
Of the subject
The Assistant United States Fish Com
missioner in charge Of the inquiry into
food supply of fish is brother Of Miss
Rathbun. who herself is attached 10 the
Department Of Marine Invertebrates.
Although she has been conn ctcd with
the institute in clerical capacity Tor
about eight years il is only recently that
she has had the opportunity 10 pursue
her studies to such an extent "a now.
Many collections Of branchyuran crusta-
ceans are sent to the Smithsonian by
; collectors for classification, and much OF
this work Is in Miss Rathbuns line. An
interesting collection that has Just gone
through the institute came from Japan
and the Hawaiian Islands. In the insti-
tute her work is called well-grounded'
her methods concise and direct, and she
! is always given credit for what she does.
NOTABLE IN THEIR LINES.
While she is the only woman who is
doing strictly scientific work in the
Smithsonian, the Institute and National
Museum have several other women at
tached to the STAFF who, in their lines.
are worth attention.
one OF these Is Miss l.. Il. Gallaher, VINO
Is in the Photographic department. as
sistant TO Professor Smile.
The Photographic department OF the
government is a peculiar institution. ana
much important work is done by II. There
have been other women as assistants,
but Miss Gallaher is considered the most
capable all-around photographer eyer IN
that position.
The Smithsonian has many collectors
and attaches in different parts OF the
globe who use the camera. OFTEN they are
unable to obtain the desired specimen,
and even a photograph OF II becomes de-
sirabe. These collectors by no means
send n completed picture. Hundreds of
films and plates are sent every year TO
the institute TO be developed. Great care
and skill are required 10 obtain satiafac-
tory results from such films and plates.
To develop these forms is an important
Jart Of Miss Gallaher's work, and ii is
the skill with which she applies old for
mulas and develops new ones but little
tried that makes her valuable.
She also does considerable outdoor
work. and has happy knack in photo
graphing groups. Some OF Miss Gallaher's
work In the Smithsonian is interesting,
especially when she spends a day photo
graphing everything from baby bears up
to wildcats and black bears. Before she
developed into assistant photographer Miss
Gallaher had been attached 10 the Smith
sonian in the Mammalian Department.
where she became familiar with animals
ana look up photography as an amateur.
Another interesting woman In quite
another direction is Mrs. Burnside. clerk
to Professor Langley. head OF the Smith
sonian Institute and National Museum.
Mrs. Burnside made her entrance into
the Smithsonian by way OF the office
of chief clerk, Mr. William Cox. The
chief clerk is an important parsonage in
running the affairs of the institute. He
Is supposed TO have all the business and
details of every sort at his tongues end
or else well located In his office. Mrs.
Burnside developed a wonderful capabil-
ity for grasping these details and short
ly gave such thorough devotion 10 her
work that she became almost invaluable
to the chief clerks office on account OF
her practical knowledge of the nstitu-
tion's workings. When she reached that
point Secretary Langley needed some one
with just her knowledge of the institu-
ton, and she was promoted TO his staff
The machinery and conduct Of such a
vast affair is fun OF complicated details
and Mrs. Burnside is said to have a com.
plete grasp on them all.
MRS. McGUIRK.