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24.

as they are segregated and classified. This being accomplished, many of the specimens now encumbering the cases can be retired and only the type or representative specimens of each class of every implement be retained and displayed; the rest of them may be either boxed and stored, or may be made in sets for exchanges. The effect of this would be to reduce the number of objects on display, but naturally the best specimens would be chosen and, therefore, it would increase the beauty and effectiveness of the display. They should be properly figured and described, either in a guide book or label, and would show that this implement was the representative of a certain ^[[specified]] number of other implements not in sight. Thus they would stand as though though [[word repeated]] the entire number were on display, and the gorging process now going on would be materially relieved.

2. We have, during the existence of the Museum, been preparing for this classification and enumeration by the acceptance of all kinds of implements, and in as great number as they were obtainable. No fault is found, or to be found, with the policy by which this great aggregation of the commoner implements was made. It was necessary for the purpose indicated, it is still necessary, and should be continued until the plan herein suggested shall have been carried out. 

But, looking to the completion of the proposed plan and the change it would work in the display part of the department, we should look into the future and prepare for this change in the selection and purchase of objects. I would, therefore, recommend that purchase of the commoner and ordinary objects should be given up unless at very low prices - these commoner objects may continue to be purchased, but should have something to recommend them, such as being an entire lot from a mound or given locality and thus be able to form a monograph or chapter in the history of prehistoric man. Dr. Steiner's collection from Georgia is such an one. It comes from a locality greatly restricted in area, comprises objects of every kind which have been found, they are the result of a life-time's work, comprise many beautiful as well as rare implements, and their study and recital will give as complete a knowledge of the industries and technology of the people which occupied that territory as we can ever expect to obtain. With the foregoing exceptions, I would recommend our purchases for the Museum to be restricted to the finer and better classes of implements, those that are rarer and more expensive. These are the kind of implements which Comm. Douglas has been engaged for many years in collecting. He gets only the best, but he has to pay for all he [[underline]]does [[/underline]] get, and the prices are correspondingly high. I have, under the arrangement between us, sent a single case of good specimens to the Brussels Exposition and have just received reports of their arrival. Count Goblet d'Alviella says: "I congratulate you for your collection of American antiquities - it is the best I have ever seen on the Continent." Mons. E. de Pier-