22 REPORT OF THE SECRETARY. 



foreij^ii countries. These packages were coutained iu 112 boxes, having 

 a cubical content in the aggregate of 1,033 feet, and weighing 23,376 

 l)ounds. The packages were not only from institutions within the limits 

 of the United States, but also from those iu Canada, Central and South 

 America. The parcels received at the Institution for parties in this 

 country numbered 2,000, about one-third more than were received during 

 the preceding year. The separate volumes, parts of volumes, and pam- 

 I)hlets contained in these parcels would amount to many times the num- 

 ber just given, those for the Institution alone amounting, as will be sub- 

 sequently stated, to 5,555. When it is considered that these works are 

 the published original records of the discoveries of the day in the various 

 branches of science; that they mark the i)rogress of man in a higher 

 civilization, and that the system of exchange tends to unite in one effort, 

 as it were, the labors of those who are endeavoring to enlarge the bounds 

 of knowledge, it is imiJossible to conceive of a system more efficient or 

 better calculated for realizing one of the conceptions of Smithson, that 

 of diffusing knowledge among men. 



The exchanges thus far have principally been confined to books, 

 although large numbers of specimens have been sent abroad on the part of 

 the Institution. Full returns have not yet been asked for these, but one 

 of the conditions on which the specimens are given is that whenever the 

 government shall see fit to make X)i"ovision for the full support of a 

 national museum, then specimens will be required in return. It is 

 proper to state, however, that in all cases in which the Institution has 

 signified its desire to obtain specimens for special investigations, or 

 for the illustration of a i)articular subject, such as geology and anthro- 

 pology, liberal responses have been made. 



The Smithson packages, with the single exception of those for Italy, 

 are passed through all the custom-houses of the world free of duty and 

 without examination ; and this exception will, we think, be removed as 

 soon as the negotiations now iu progress are completed. Efficient aid 

 duiing 1869, as in previous years, has been rendered the Institution in 

 the transportation of its packages to and from the United States, free 

 of charge, by the following companies, viz: The Pacific Mail Steamship 

 Company, IsTorth German Lloyd, Hamburg American Steamship Com- 

 pany, General Transatlantic Steamship Company, Pacific Steam Navi- 

 gation Company, Inman Steamship Company, Cunard Steamship Com- 

 pany, California and Mexico Steamship Company, Panama Eaih^oad 

 Compauy, Mexican Steamship Company, Union Pacific Eailroad, United 

 States and Brazil Steamship Company, North German Lloyd, (Balti- 

 more line,) and the Atlantic Mail Steamship Company. It gives me 

 much pleasure to make this public statement in regard to an act which 

 deserves commendation, not only on account of the liberal spirit which 

 it manifests, but also on that of the enlightened appreciation which it 

 evinces of the objects of the Institution. Notwithstanding the aid 

 which has been thus liberally extended, the cost of tlie exchanges now 

 amounts to about $5,000 per annum. 



