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tops afford, will depend upon the decision of Congress in regard to the appropriation for altering and repairing the Smithsonian building. If this is made, and the ceiling of the lower hall cut through, as has been planned, it will be undesirable to attempt any arrangement for exhibition purposes which would be allowed to remain undisturbed for [[strikethrough]]but[[/strikethrough]] only a few weeks. [[strikethrough]] The labor, time and consideration required for such a  purpose are too great to be wasted, and [[/strikethrough]] The arrangement of this part of the collection will therefore be deferred until the question of the the proposed changes in the Hall has been decided. [[strikethrough]] are over with [[/strikethrough]] On the other hand, if [[strikethrough]] it turns out that they are to be indefinitely postponed, [[/strikethrough]] no changes are made at present the installation of the exhibit will be commenced as soon as practicable. Few of the exhibits of the biological departments of the Museum seem to have the attractiveness for the general public possessed by shells, and the small exhibit hitherto made and