Evening star., 1905-10-28


collection can be made complete by mis-
cellaneous gifts. and rare specimens do
not remain indefinitely on the market.
In the museum books more than 10000
entries have been made of objects col
lections of objects loaned for exhibition.
These naturally represent transient exhio-
its, but in no case will the museum accept
the responsibility of such deposits unless
they are guaranteed to it for a definite
period of years In many instances col
leotions thus deposited have eventually been
given or bequeathed to the institution, and
have become in time part Of the perma-
nent collection.
The exhibits made in the museum laho-
ratories constitute the smallest group.
These are such things plaster repro
ductions of fish. wax figures representing
the several natonalities, model villages,
miniature industries and the like. exhibits
which are scientifically correct, but which
have as their chief object the enlightel-
ment of the casual visitor.
A Two-Fold Object.
1t is in this way that the museum en-
deavors to reach both the classes and the
masses. 1t is still a ward of the Smith
sonan Institution and bound to carry out
the trust imposed by its founder-"to In
crease and diffuse knowledge among men,"
lis work Is two-fold-that which appears
On the surface and that which is hidden
away.
The first consists of countless exhibits
arranged and labeled so that they will he
Ineligible to all-so that they will not
only interest, but will instruct. Take, for
example, a section setting forth the evo-
luton of the modern timepiece. The eV-
hibit begins with a representation of the
stuck in the snow, then shows a dial
a water clock and SO on up the scale. until
the most perfectly constructed watch IS
nIr1fi aP he
steam locomotive beginning in demonstra-
ton with the figure of woman with a
pack on her back: or the development of
the graphic arts from the earliest day to
the present; or the life of the ALASKAN
Indian effectively displayed. There is no
end to the subject matter, and the avenues
Of thought opened up are even greater in
number than the many-turning labyrinth
like halls In which the visitor is likely TO
lose his way. On every side there is much
to see and more to be learned with mini
mum effort. And to the casual visitor
this Is all. But behind all this, stored
away, is a still more valuable collection
reserved for the intelligent perusal of those
seeking enlightenment.
To all scientists and students the Ma
tional Museum Is treasure house. indeed
To them It's doors are ever Open and. for
| them every concession Is made. For s6en-
tific investigators labora tories are provided
and for workers in the field outfits are fire.
qucntly supplied. The opportunities thus
freely offered are not unappreciated. Every
year the museum is visited by many inves-
tigators from all parts of the globe, some
of whom have already won worldwide dis
tinction.
Loan Of Collections.
Besides permitting the use of its study
series to persons properly qualified the mu-
scum goes step farther and lends collec-
tions Of exhibits to specialists. outside of
the District of Columbia, for the purpose
of original research. Over twelve hundred
specimens were thus sent out in single
year. Incidental to the distribution of
specimens may be mentioned, as of educa-
tional import, the museums custom of send
ing from time to time boxes of duplicates
to schools and colleges throughout the
United States. These are carefully select
ed, properly identified and labeled and have
been well received.
Not only does the museum serve as "a
consultive library Of objects (to borrow
Prof Huxleys definiton). but often as a
direct source of information. Under GER
tain conditions instruction is given as well
as ocular proof. For instance not long ago
a Swedish scientist and Costa Rican pro-
fessor were instructed in casting archaeo-
logical specimens; and physician of South
Carolina, who wished to make a study OF
the negro of the south. was taught how to
make casts and photographs, together with
other methods Of chronological investigation.
Bureau of Information.
In addition to all this the museum is in
a big way, q bureau OF scientific informa-
ton. and carries a wide correspondence
with persons seeking specific advice. Many
of the letters received refer to the MAIN
tenance and upbuilding of collections, to
the classification of exhibits and similar
subjects which require thoughtful consid-
Grafton, but in every case, where the COM
munication is made in good faith 1t is an
swered at length and with all possible
promptness. Often specimens accompany
these letters. sent for Identification and
classification. which is commonly done gra-
tuitously for small charge. Thou
sands of objects are received through these
channels every year. many of which are
naturally of little or no value-such as
glass jewels and FOOLS gold. Some, how
ever, are more than worthy. and by their
intrinsic interest amply repay the patient
scientists for their expenditure Of tirae and
labor.
1t was erroneously reported at one time
that the museum. or more properly the
Smithsonian Institution, was pledged TO
give information on all subjects, with the
result that a vast number or irrelevant
questions were showered upon the unonend-
ing officials. One old lady wrote to ask
where she could procure peculiar KIND OF
yarn used IN her youth for knitting stock
ings, and others sent inquiries even less to
the point.
scum are volunteer workers, and the other
half are but meagerly paid. 1t Is largely
labor of love, prosecuted by men who are
scholars rather than money-makers. ana
who find their chief pleasure in their work
1t has had on its lists some of the fore
most scientists of America, and 1t stiI
claims the services Of many Of note. To
these scholars. as well as to the many gem
erous contributors. the museum owes nos
only IT. present standing. but its equipment