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"The greater portion of this will doubtless come to you permanently, as soon as the departments having an interest in such material are developed." [[line across remainder of page, wrapped to beginning of next paragraph]]

Accordingly, I have endeavored to catalogue, [[strikethrough]] and [[/strikethrough]] classify and preserve a great mass of material that it would be impossible for one curator with a single assistant to study, [[strikethrough]] and [[/strikethrough]] label, and prepare for exhibition.  That material, however, is available for use at any time, and will someday be of great value to the museum.

I glancing [[strikethrough]] at [[/strikethrough]] ^[[over]] the names of the sections mentioned above, it may seem that they [[illegible strikethrough]] include rather a heterogeneous collection, but, with the exception of the section of fibres etc., it will be seen that they ^[[may]][[strikethrough]] are [[/strikethrough]] all be included under pure and applied chemistry, and are, therefore, more or less directly connected, [[strikethrough]] together [[/strikethrough]] although very properly separated in different sections for museum purposes.

The section of [[illegible strikethrough]] textiles has engaged my attention most fully during two years.  My connection with the museum dates from November, 1883, when [[strikethrough]] I was assigned [[/strikethrough]] an office in the east tower on the ground floor was assigned to me.  Mr. F. H. Towne, who had previously been engaged on the collections as Preparator, acting as assistant.  A few specimens of textile fibres and fabrics were then on exhibition, but without labels, in the west hall.  A large number of specimens of foods in bottles were on exhibition in the northwest range, but very improperly classified, and not selected with discrimination.  A large collection of fibres & fabrics, mostly from the