Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-05-26
RESEARCH I'M PHILIPPINES
Local Scientists 10 Send q Company of
Explorers.
Collections to he Made for Use of Ma
ttonal Museum.and the Smith
sOniann InstftutiOn.

Plans for the usual summer expeditions
OF scientists of the National Museum and
Smithsonian Institution are being perfect
ca. IL one OF these is carried out, it will be
most extensive and in all likelihood a
most fruitful one, exceeding in results any
winch nave been sent out from either of
these two great storehouses. 1t is no less
imam to combine a number of scientists of
the museum and institution in one COM
pany, with a man of the highest attain
ments In scientific lines at the head and
send the party to Manila, with the troops,
II any shall go in the future. The idea has
been preached and has met with approval
from those competent to judge of such
schemes and their outcome. 1t has been
pointed out, 1t was stated to Star re-
porter, that, as the islands will most likely
remain under the rule of the United States,
the coliectlon of objects to be secured there
WIN be OF the greatest possible interest to
the people In this country. 1t was de-
clared, also that the matter Of sending an
expedition of scientists along with troops
OF conquest, in new country, was no new
tnine. II was practiced repeatedly by Ma
eAeellently, as the museums and laborato.
r1es or france were filled with thousands of
interesting collections
Collections of Value Possible.
The Island of Luzon especially is place
where collections of the greatest value may
be secured" said a scientist at ths museum
to the reporter yesterday. ''All of the Phil
ippines are spots which can supply much
which would be most attractive for our
purposes and the public in general think
by the scientists cooperating with the
troops, as 1t were, the best results would be
Undoubtedly attained. The natives are ami
cably disposed toward us, and would, am
certain, render valuable assistance. BY
sending an expedition at the present time
~ fGn
would go under any other circumstances.
would be done away with Even if the
United States should not hold the islands,
the collections would greatly enrich u.s.
"A man from every branch would probbly
be included in the expedition, including an
ethnoioglSt, botanis., a geologist, and so
on, so that all the ground could be fully
covered.
Each year about this time the CORDS of
assistants in the museum and institution
make ready to go on different explorations.
Some of them have already gone. Prof.
Ste]neger, who has been seal commissioner
LOT several years has gone to Europe,
where he will study the larger museums
their methods and objects, with view of
applying his knowledge to the National Mu-
scum. He will also visit Norway, his home
Prof. Holmes Of the department of an
thropology will go to Omaha this week to
see that the lay figures in the chronological
exhibit there are properly arranged. He
VIII return to Washington and remain here
attend the sessions Of the Associa ton for
the Advancement Of Science. From there
ne will go direct to the Pacific slope to
make researches along geological and
archaeological lines ;.
Prof. ]. Walter Fewkes will leave for
Arizona about the LIST of July to still fur
Their continue his chronological work among
the Moqui Indian tribes Prof Houeh- will
not accompany him this year, as he is now
acting curator of technology in the absence
of Prof. Otis T. Mason, who is ILL.,
DR.. Dale of the Smithsonian will take a
trip to extend hissalready extensive knowl-
edge on geological matters, while Prof.
James Wilson will probably pursue his in
vestigations on aboriginal relics in the
south. Others attached to the corps of
scientists are also arranging for summer
outings.
Late Acquisitions.
Although the arrangement Of the exhibit
for the Omaha exposition and the moving
of the objects to fill the galleries newly
finished in the museum have both con-
sumed much time and attention, collections
have been made in the meantime, and ar
ranged in the halls. collection which is
attracting great attention is that of guns
ancient and modern This has been set up
in two table cases. The collection might
represent 1.-The Evolution of the Firearn"
First Is shown the matchbox invented by
the Chinese, then the f1intlock. Next are
shown the guns using percussion caps, then
rifles and shotguns, breechloaders, revolv-
ing chambered guns and magazine guns of
modern FORM
In the collection are two or three guns of
peculiar design and construction. One is a
combination airgun, shotgun and cartridge
gun, using the earliest metal cartridges
1t was invented by Joseph Saxton, an Eng
lishman, who died more than fifty years
ago. The gun presented by a grand
son of his, who resides in Washington
Still another gun of extraordinary pat
tern is cumbersome form of spring air
Thara 10 Nrir,fI I-rp
which winds up several strong steel springs
connected with a piston. When these
springs are released they drive piston for
ward in cylinder of compressed air. The
air is released in a still smaller barrel and
the bullet is driven out
The guns used by the soldiers of Uncle
Sam, the Mauser and Krag-Jorgensen rifles
will soon be added to the collection.
First Attempts With Telephone.
Peculiar interest attaches to collection
recently turned over to the museum by
Prof. Alexander Graham Bell. This shows