The development of water craft from the crudest. forms to the modern ocean steamship; of wheeled vehicles; from the first inception of the idea of the wheel to their present seeming perfection; and of that greatest of all means of transportation-the railwaywill also be further illustrated by accurate models, drawings, plans and designs in cases where the actual apparatus, appliance or machine itself can not be exhibited.

It is the desire of this department to keep the historical feature clearly in view, and even to magnify it. By so doing, the greatest exhibition of the actual means of transportation employed throughout the world today will stand out in high relief by contrast; and the wonderful achievements of recent years will bear more weighty testimony to the genius of the age in which we live.

The building for the display of Transportation Exhibits is eligibly located on the western bank of the large lagoon surrounding the beautiful wooded island which occupies nearly the center of the Exposition. As will be seen by the bird's-eye view (Plate I) it is near the main entrance to the grounds and convenient of access for those arriving by all routes. The building is surmounted by a cupola reaching a height of 165 feet. Eight elevators will run from the center of the main floor to balconies surrounding the cupola at height of 115 and 128 feet. The view from this observatory will be beautiful in the extreme, and will give visitors an excellent comprehension of the whole plan of the Exposition Grounds at a glance.

The Main Building covers a space of 960 feet in length by 256 feet deep-but as shown in the plans, the main floor includes nearly nine acres of additional space under roof. The total floor space, including the entre-sol, is nearly seventeen acres. A 75-foot transfer

table will traverse the annex, along the western line of the Main Building. Railway tracks will be laid in the annex at right angles to the transfer table. The heaviest locomotives and cars can be run direct from the installation track, which runs alongside the southern end of the building, upon the transfer table which will take them to their proper tracks inside the building. The length of these tracks is such that an entire train can be shown connected as when in actual use. When installation of heavy exhibits has been completed, the pit of the transfer table will be floored over. The annex will open into the Main Building in such a manner as to afford long and striking vistas down the main avenues and isles.

WILLARD A. SMITH, Chief.

MANUFACTURES DEPARTMENT.

The exhibition in this Department will certainly prove an attraction of supreme interest, not only to the people of the United States, but to the world at large. Under the liberal classification prepared by the Committee of the National Commission, the Department of Manufactures embraces thirty-four exceptionly large groups, divided into two hundred or more classes of the leading industries, collectively representing the products of the modern machinery and man's skillful handiwork in every conceivable form and design.

The constantly increasing interest of our home manufacturers, and the world-wide rivalry of inventive genius in the production of labor-saving devices and improved machinery to meet the ever growing popular demand, will be fittingly illustrated in the great variety of exhibits in this Department, and make it one of the most interesting and instructive features of the Exposition.