CENTENNIAL EXHIBITION. 71 



])n<!k('d I'loiii top to bottom with tliousniids of boxes, for the proijer 

 exhibition of the contents of which tlieie is no si)acc or op[)ortunity iit 

 the present time. It is to be hoped that action at an early day will be 

 taken by Con,y:ress looking: toward a itro{»er ])rovision for this emergency, 

 esi)ecially when it is realized that the materials aie thus available for a 

 jS^ational Museum that shall be equal, in its extent and completeness and 

 in its educational advantages, to that of any nation in the world. 



The collections made directly through the Government appropriations 

 will also be very largely supplemented by the donation of series of 

 American ami foreign exhibitors, a very large proportion of which will 

 be placed at the disposal of the United States Government. 



Another subject which will require early consideration will be the 

 best mode of distributing the du[>licate specimens, of which vast num- 

 bers will be on hand at the close of the Exhibition, and it is probable 

 that an appropriation by Congress will be needed for the arrangement, 

 labeling, packing, and boxing of these specimens. Several hundred 

 sets of these objects can be made up for the principal educational, liter- 

 ary, and scientific institntions throughout the country. 



It may be remembered that several years ago Congress appropriated 

 $10,000 for the expenses of distributing the duplicates then in the 

 National Museum, with the proviso that the freight be paid by the 

 recipients. Under this enactment nearly a quarter of a million of 

 labeled specimens were supplied to several hundred institutions through- 

 out the country, and have doubtless answered an excellent purpose in 

 furnishing the means of instruction. The surplus available for such a 

 distribution at the close of the International Exhibition, even after all 

 exchanges have been made, will be very much greater than on the 

 occasion referred to. 



Eespectfully, yours, 



SPENCEE F. BATED, 

 Representative of the Smithsonian Institution 



and of the Department of Food- Fishes in 



Government Centennial Board. 



Prof. Joseph Henry, 



Secretary Smithsonian Institution. 



