Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-12-09

Cocopa Indians and behold an Indian boy
trying his first arrow. In this group is
a girl with baby on her back, woman
grinding corn and a man watching the
boy and guiding his hand as he bends his
bow, a man with his water jug, and a
girl with her basket.
In another group he may see Navajo
indians making silver ornaments, using
primitive bellows and like equipment.
Here is a group which gives one a look
/; into an Indian kitchen. There another
shows our Igorot brethren in the Phil
ippines preparing wood with which to
cook the next meal. Here is reproduction
of the largest known meteorite which
ever fell to earth. measuring approx
mately six by seven by eleven feet; and
there are two large pieces of limestone
one secured by glacial action and the
other futed by the same process.
The historical exhibits represent all of
the noted figures of American history.
There is the generals uniform worn by
Washington, the evening coat worn by
Lincoln at the time of his assassination.
the presents given to Grant by rulers of
the nations of the earth on his globe
girdling tour. and thousands Of other
things of great historical value because
of their association with the men who
have made the American nation.
In the realm of invention one may see
the first telegraph instrument. the first
typewriter. one Of the first Of the worlds
III
steamship, and then he may follow all of
these first things down to their present
degree of perfection.
But the National Museum is more than
dreds Of rooms
Scientists Engage not open to the
in Research Work, slsn.seeins pun
engaged in studies which tend to promote
the progress of the human race. Its COL
lections have made possible research
work which has formed the basis Of some
of the most important economic achieve
ments of the American government.
While the primary duty of museum is
to preserve the collections confided to its
care, yet the Importance of the collections
rests not upon the mere basis Of custo-
dianship, neither upon the number Of
specimens, nor yet upon their intrinsic
value, but upon the uses to which they
are put. Under the authority of Con-
gress not only are its collections of serv-
ice in Washington. but duplicates of
many of its specimens are sent to schools
throughout the United states for study
and research there.
But above this use is that to which
they are put by the scientists Of the
world in their efforts to extend the bound
aries of human knowledge. The museums
own staff of scientists is working year
in and year out along these lines. Like
wise the scientists connected with other
scientific institutions of the country are
permitted to use the National Museums
collections either in Washington or at
their own institutions. The museum free
IL places its collections at their disposal
And in its efforts to promote the general
cause Of science and progress the Ma
tional Museum does not limit this spirit
of helpfulness to the boundaries Of the
United States. Any scientist from any
other nation is given the same privilege
and specimens may be sent to foreign
countries for study and comparison. In
this way the National Museum is a con-
spicuous factor In the advancement of
knowledge wherever civilization has a
foOthOld.
Only a comparatively few of the mil
lions of specimens possessed by the Ma
tional Mus m
Many Of Specimens are seen by the
for Scientists Only. ers are kent e t'h in
fireproof rooms, in dark cases, and from
them the scientist reads the earth story
of prehistoric times and masters the sci
entific problems of the present. Back in
his laboratory, with his thousands OF
specimens around him. he is engaged in
studies which are destined to affect every
human being in the civilized world. He
may be making incursions into the pre-
historic past and getting new knowledge
of the origin Of the earth and of the mill
lions of species of animal and plant life
x,ry,tch inha hit II For instance. the sci