REPORT OF THE SECRETARY. 23 



less these are specifically asked for they will fail in many instances to 

 be made. It will facilitate the labors of the Institution very greatly if 

 the number corresponding to the several addresses in the Smithsonian 

 printed catalogue* be marked on the face of each parcel ; and for this 

 purpose a copy of the catalogue will be forwarded to all who apply for it. 



Specimens of natural history will not be received for transmission un- 

 less with a previous understanding as to their character and bulk. 



8. Unless all these conditions are complied with the parcels will not 

 be forwarded from the Institution ; and, on the failure to comply with 

 the first and second conditions, will be returned to the sender for cor- 

 rection. 



The operations of the system of exchange have increased from year 

 to year, and notwithstanding the liberal assistance received from trans- 

 portation companies, it now absorbs nearly a seventh part of the entire 

 Income of the establishment. In order to improve its efficiency and the 

 frequency of transmission of packages, a larger proportion of the income 

 will be required. In view of these facts, the Secretary at the last session 

 of the Board of Eegents was authorized to receive aid from societies 

 and individuals in defraying the heavy expense of this part of the oper- 

 ations of the Institution. 



Miss Jane Turner, sister of the late Prof. W. W. Turner, the well- 

 known philologist, continues to have charge of receiving and cata- 

 loguing the exchanges intended for the library of the Institution, and of 

 distributing those for other parties. 



The receiving, packing, and shipping of the packages from different 

 parts of the United States intended for foreign countries, is under the 

 charge of Mr. H. Diebitsch. 



LIBRARY. 



In 1866, the library of the Institution was incorporated with that 

 of Congress. This arrangement is still continued, and is beneficial to 

 both establishments. The Smithson fund is relieved from the mainte- 

 nance of a separate library, while at the same time the Institution 

 has the use not only of its own books but of those of the Library of Con- 

 gress. On the other hand, the Library of Congress is enriched by an 

 entire department, that of books relating to modern science. 



The following is a statement of the books, maps, and charts received 

 by exchange in 1874: 



Volumes : 



Octavo, or less ..... 057 



Quarto, or larger 206 



863 



^ Miscellaneous Collections, No. 243. 



